Former Governor of Ekiti State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Fayose, has declared that he would never leave the PDP for any political party, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his belief in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
Fayose said this while speaking to journalists shortly after paying a Sallah homage to Tinubu in Lagos.
The former governor explained that his visit to Tinubu was personal, adding that the President needs to be encouraged to continue what he is doing for Nigerians.
“No one is saying it’s easy, but there’s no miracle that can turn around things overnight.
“For the little the President has done, we must commend him. I was a one-time critic of the last administration, but you cannot compare the situation now.
“So, for me, I’m here to take the opportunity of his homecoming to visit him. And to encourage him to do more for Nigerians,” the former governor said.
When asked about the motive behind his visit to the President as a chieftain of the opposition party, Fayose said he’s always believed in Tinubu’s leadership, even when he (Fayose) was a sitting PDP governor in Ekiti State.
“Well, even when I was in office as a PDP governor, sitting governor; I’ve always believed in his leadership. And I did not hide my support for him even before he became the president. And the only thing we can do as the leaders of this country today is to continue to encourage to lift up his hands, to make the public understand how uneasy it is to lead.
“An economy that is down, and today it’s being stabilised. There’s a difference between things changing outrightly. There is no miracle. But stabilising the economy, stabilising the currency. And few courageous steps the President has taken and the achievements of this administration puts hopes in tomorrow for all of us,” he added.
Responding to questions on the wave of defections in the country’s political space, Fayose clarified that his visit has nothing to do with such, declaring that he would never leave the PDP for any other party.
According to him, those who recently defected from the PDP to the ruling APC have their reasons, including the President’s performance and the current political crisis wrangling the PDP, adding that the party will soon become a ‘carcass’.
“I, Ayo Fayose, will not move from PDP to any political party, not even APC. I’m this year, 65 years. It’s within the choices of those who’ve chosen to move,” he added.