APC Faction Lambasts Ex-Governor Fayose Over ‘Derogatory’ Remarks Against Fayemi At Endorsement Rally.
APC Faction Lambasts Ex-Governor Fayose Over ‘Derogatory’ Remarks Against Fayemi At Endorsement Rally.
A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has criticised ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose over his recent public criticism of Fayemi during a political rally to endorse incumbent Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for a second term.
In a press statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, the group, which identified itself as the Loyal APC Members of JKF, Ekiti State, accused Fayose of launching unprovoked verbal attacks against Fayemi at the rally, which held earlier in the week.
According to the statement, Fayose’s remarks were not only “derogatory and ungrateful” but also an attempt to rewrite history and belittle the pivotal role Fayemi played in the emergence of Oyebanji as the party’s candidate in 2022.
They expressed shock that Governor Oyebanji himself appeared to nod in agreement as Fayose made disparaging remarks about his predecessor.
The pro-Fayemi APC members went further to accuse Fayose of political opportunism and personal gain, alleging that the former governor was being compensated with government funds.
The group also criticised what they described as Fayose’s “desperate attempt to rewrite political history” by mocking the 2014 electoral loss of Fayemi, in which he famously lost all 16 local governments to Fayose.
In a direct jab at those questioning Fayemi’s absence at the rally, the group asked why similar concerns were not raised about the absence of Governor Oyebanji’s wife, who was also missing at the event.
The group ended with a stern warning to Governor Oyebanji, urging him to reduce what they described as “political patronage” to Fayose and instead focus on the welfare of Ekiti people.
The statement reads: “We, the loyal members of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, are writing to express our utter disgust and disappointment over the recent derogatory comments made by former Governor Ayodele Fayose against Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the endorsement rally for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s second-term bid.
“It was appalling to see Fayose mount the podium and, in his usual loquacious manner, pour out words that derogated Fayemi, the man who played a crucial role in BAO’s emergence as the APC candidate in 2022. We were surprised that Governor Oyebanji was also nodding his head in affirmation of Fayose’s ill comments against Dr. Fayemi, when he was dishing out praises on Governor Biodun Oyebanji and running down Former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
“We see this as a pure sign of ungratefulness against Fayemi, who did everything to achieve what Fayose tried hard to achieve in installing Professor Olusola Eleka as a successor after himself. We consider Dr. Fayemi a great achiever compared to the lousy and uncultured Fayose, who is deceiving BAO to achieve his selfish political goals. It’s evident that Fayose is an opportunist who has been allowed to abuse Dr. Fayemi without any restraint.
“We wonder if the monthly N50 million being paid to Fayose from the office of Tajudeen Adejumon, Permanent Secretary, Governor’s office, is the reason behind his overzealousness and loose tongue. Or was it the overhead bridge contract awarded to Fayose’s protégé at the cost of N16 billion, which has now been reviewed to N36 billion of Ekiti money, that may have contributed to his overzealousness?
“We also find it intriguing that Fayose chose to forget the significant role Dr. Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, played in BAO’s emergence as Governor of Ekiti while he was busy insulting him. One would have expected Fayose to accord some respect to the man who “cooked the soup” he and the others who get mouth-watering amounts are eating today while they choose to insult the man who toiled and labored to crown BAO as Governor. Instead, he chose to gloat over his perceived victories of 2014 against Dr. Fayemi, which he claimed was a 16-0 defeat.
“To those who were playing politics with the absence of Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the endorsement rally, one would wonder why the same people did not ask about the whereabouts of the wife of Governor BAO, who was also conspicuously missing at the endorsement rally.
“We urge Governor Oyebanji to reduce the patronage to Fayose and prioritize the welfare of Ekiti people over personal interests. We will not stand idly by while Fayose continues to abuse Dr. Fayemi and undermine the progress of our state.”
