LAGOS, Nigeria — Speaking from a position he described as “independent and truth-seeking,” Ayodele Fayose claimed that the PDP is currently a shadow of itself due to the “unfair” politics played by its top leadership.
The “Destruction” Allegation
Fayose did not mince words when discussing the roles of Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Tambuwal in the party’s current predicament.
- The Atiku Factor: Fayose suggested that the former Vice President’s insistence on the 2023 presidency, despite calls for southern rotation, fractured the party’s foundation.
- The Tambuwal Betrayal: He alluded to the 2022 PDP primary where Tambuwal stepped down for Atiku, a move Fayose and others in the “G5” camp viewed as a betrayal of southern interests and internal party agreements.
“Atiku and Tambuwal destroyed PDP. Politics is not fair. Life itself is not balanced… I am not contesting any election and I’m not asking anybody for favour, so I can say the truth,” Fayose stated.
On the Wike-Fubara Rift
The former governor also addressed the ongoing political war in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Fayose expressed shock at the depth of the fallout, revealing that he had personally cautioned Fubara during his inauguration.
- The Warning: “I was sitting on the high table the day Governor Fubara was sworn in… And I told Wike that I want to say one or two things to Fubara: not to betray you.”
- The Outcome: Fayose admitted he never expected the relationship to deteriorate into the current state of “irreconcilable differences” that has seen Fubara defect to the APC and face impeachment threats from the Wike-backed assembly.
The “Dead” Party Narrative
The interview comes as the PDP faces a mass exodus. Within the last 48 hours, high-profile members like Ikenga Ugochinyere have defected to the Action Peoples Party (APP), citing the “unending crisis” caused by leadership tussles between factions loyal to Wike and those led by the Kabiru Turaki caretaker committee.
