Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has revealed that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, will not be contesting for the presidency in the upcoming 2027 elections. This disclosure came after Fayose spoke about a conversation he had with Makinde regarding the speculation surrounding his potential presidential bid.
Fayose, while speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, noted that Makinde had personally informed him that he would not allow himself to be used as a tool against President Bola Tinubu in the next presidential race. Fayose explained that when he saw advertisements on social media suggesting Makinde was planning to run for president, he forwarded them to the Oyo State governor, who called him to clarify the matter.
“When I saw an advert running on social media, with all due respect to Makinde, I forwarded it to him, and he called me to say he’s not running and does not know anything about those fliers. He has not told me otherwise,” Fayose stated. “I will not put words in his mouth; I will believe whatever he told me as a brother. He told me that he will not be used against a Yoruba man as president.”
Fayose continued to emphasize that he was confident in Makinde’s stance, stating, “I stand here to say Makinde will not run for president, except if anything changes.” He further explained that political decisions and ambitions often change, but for now, Makinde was firm in his decision not to contest.
The former governor also shared his views on the broader political landscape, particularly the need for support of President Tinubu. Fayose expressed his belief that Tinubu should be allowed to complete his second term in office without unnecessary political interference. He pointed out that while there may be criticisms of Tinubu’s administration, it is important to give him the opportunity to address the country’s challenges.
He also discussed the lack of a strong opposition capable of mounting a serious challenge to Tinubu’s leadership in 2027. Fayose pointed to the fragmented state of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and questioned whether there were any real opposition figures who could confront the president. He mentioned that many governors were focused on their own political survival rather than building a united front against the current administration.
“For me, if you compare today and the past, you will still give it to Bola Tinubu. Nobody is perfect, and the system is rotten. The situation is not easy to manage, but when you compare inflation, you will realise that it’s a far cry from the past,” Fayose remarked. He further noted that despite the challenges, the majority of governors were concerned with personal survival rather than opposing the president effectively.
