Makinde Lacked Courage to Face Tinubu Alone — Fayose
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of lacking the courage to confront President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his own during a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Fayose’s claim comes in an explosive statement released hours after Governor Makinde’s Thursday meeting with the President. According to Fayose, Makinde did not attend the meeting alone but was accompanied by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, a move he described as a sign that Makinde was reluctant to face Tinubu independently.
“Governor Seyi Makinde demonstrated that he now lacked enough courage to face the President alone; he had to enlist the support of the Plateau State Governor,” Fayose said in his statement.
Details of Meeting According to Fayose
Fayose claimed that during the private encounter, President Tinubu made it clear he was prepared to discuss only official matters concerning Oyo State, but would not entertain political grievances — particularly those tied to Makinde’s recent public criticism of the President.
“The President told him that if it was about official matters regarding Oyo State, he will listen to him,” Fayose quoted. However, on issues related to politics and previous media statements, Fayose said Tinubu advised Makinde to address those publicly instead of privately seeking audience.
According to the former governor, the President also told Makinde he wasn’t expecting the Governor’s support ahead of the 2027 general elections and would continue to back his own party and allies.
Fayose further alleged that Tinubu reaffirmed his political relationship with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and suggested that any disagreement between Makinde and Wike was a personal matter that should not be brought before the presidency.
Reactions and Context
Makinde previously made clear after the meeting that he remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and would not be defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also reaffirmed his position that he would not be supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing concerns over the future of democracy in Nigeria.
Critics of Fayose’s account have called into question his credibility, noting that some claims — including alleged financial matters linked to the meeting — have been denied by Makinde’s camp.