Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, stated that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is not the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West.
The PDP chieftain in his statement noted that leadership should be earned and not for anyone as a title.
He condemned the followers of the Oyo State Governor for describing him as an All Progressives Congressman, he added that why wasn’t he labelled as such when he supported the Oyo State governor and worked for his victory in last general elections.
Fayose and Makinde have been at loggerheads over the leadership of the South-West PDP.
The former Governor stated this in Lagos on Monday while receiving prominent members of the party who paid him a solidarity visit.
The delegation was led by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South District in the National Assembly.
Among the delegation were Olafeso, former House of Representatives member, Lad Ojomo, ex-House of Assembly member, Niyi Ogunboye, Chief Ibini Oyedele, Chief Tunde Akindehin, Pastor Larry Ogunmusere, Ife Akinsoyinu, Sola Ebiwonjumi, Olusola Adewo, Adeolu Akinseye and Ebenezer Alabi.
Fayose commended members of the delegation for “not sitting on the fence.”
He stated, “It is dangerous to sit on the fence. I don’t play to the gallery.”
“Tell the baby governor that the way up is the way down. Let Makinde put feeding bottle in the mouth of his dogs. You are called a leader because you earned it, not your title.”
“Can I be an All Progressives Congressman and be fighting Buhari (the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)? I was governor at 42. He is a governor at 51. I don’t deserve an insult from Makinde.”
“Governor Makinde is not my leader. He is my follower. Respect should beget respect. I have been a warrior. They thought I will be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission now. But, I am surviving.”
Senator Tofowomo, while speaking during the visit described the former Governor as a credible leader of the party in the South-West.
He further stated that Fayose is accessible, a grass-roots operator and a defender of fairness, equity and justice in the party in the last 17 years.