I respect Oyebanji but won’t betray PDP – Fayose

A former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, dismissed insinuations that he had dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress, as he expressed his desire to ensure the party returns to winning ways in the state in 2026.

Fayose, who said he would never join the APC, appealed to PDP members to stop maligning his character and person, as he cautioned them against politics of bitterness.

The ex-governor was among those who championed the return of power to the South in the 2023 election, joining the ex-Rivers State Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-led G5 to truncate the ambition of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

Fayose, during the electioneering, campaigned openly for President Bola Tinubu, who was the candidate of the APC in the election.

In his home state, the governor also rallied support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji as he reciprocated the visit of the governor and also declared his support for the administration.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing his supporters, on Monday, he, however, debunked the rumour that he took appointment from Oyebanji, saying that was far from the truth as Ekiti, a PDP state, must be rescued from the hands of the APC.

“I have come to tell you that the PDP must not die in Ekiti State. I want you to have peace, please don’t destroy my personality.