Fayose Labels Governor Makinde an ‘Emergency Opposition Mouthpiece’ Following Alleged Snub by Tinubu
The Nigerian political landscape is never short of drama, especially as the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins to gain momentum. The latest friction comes from the Southwest, where former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has launched a scathing verbal attack on the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
In a statement that has sent ripples through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Fayose described Makinde as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece.” According to Fayose, this sudden shift in Makinde’s rhetoric is a direct result of being “snubbed” by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Root of the Conflict: A Villa Visit Gone Wrong?
According to the report by Daily Post, the friction started following Makinde’s recent visit to the Presidential Villa. Fayose alleges that Governor Makinde sought a “soft landing” and a reconciliation with the President to secure his political future ahead of 2027.
However, Fayose claims the visit did not go as planned. He suggested that Makinde received a “cold shoulder” from President Tinubu, who reportedly made it clear that he remains committed to supporting APC candidates in Oyo State for the next election cycle.
Fayose stated: “In his attempt to do damage control on his public speech against the President, Makinde met the shock of his political life when he visited Asiwaju last week.”
From ‘Ally’ to Critic: The Osinbajo Birthday Remarks
The turning point, according to Fayose, was Makinde’s conduct during the birthday celebration of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. At the event, Makinde reportedly made derogatory comments regarding the Tinubu administration, even going as far as describing the President as a “dictator” while curiously praising the former administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Fayose argues that these critical remarks were not born out of genuine ideology but out of political frustration. He contends that if the President had welcomed Makinde with open arms, the Oyo State Governor would still be singing the administration’s praises.
The 2027 Strategy: PDP vs. APC vs. ADC
One of the most eye-opening revelations in Fayose’s statement is the prediction of Makinde’s next move. Fayose suggested that Makinde is aware that his influence within the PDP is waning and that the party may not be available for him to use as a platform for his interests in 2027.
Fayose went as far as suggesting that Makinde might field a candidate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He urged the APC in Oyo State to remain vigilant and prepare to “slug it out” with Makinde’s interests, regardless of which party platform he chooses to hide behind.
Analysis: What This Means for Southwest Politics
This public spat highlights the deep-seated divisions within the G5 (the group of PDP governors who opposed the party’s leadership in 2023), of which both Fayose and Makinde were influential figures.
The allegations suggest a breakdown in the “political understanding” that many believed existed between Makinde and the Tinubu presidency. If Fayose’s claims are true, it marks the end of the road for any potential alliance between the Oyo State Governor and the Presidency.
For Governor Makinde, being labeled an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” is a challenge to his credibility as a leader. Is he truly speaking truth to power, or is this, as Fayose claims, simply a reaction to a failed political negotiation?
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