Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu firmly turned down Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during his visit to the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
Fayose made the claim in a statement issued shortly after the meeting, titled “Untold story of what happened in the Villa during Governor Makinde’s visit to the President today,” in which he suggested that Makinde did not secure a private audience with the President.
According to Fayose, the Oyo State governor was unable to meet Tinubu alone and reportedly sought the backing of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to gain access.
“Here is the true story of what happened in the Villa when Governor Seyi Makinde visited the President today. First, 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,” the statement stated.
Fayose further claimed that Tinubu made it clear to Makinde that discussions would be limited strictly to official state matters and not political grievances.
“The President told him that if it was about official matters regarding Oyo State, he will listen to him,” Fayose said.
“But if it had to do with politics and any claim that it was Wike that angered him to go on TV to accuse him of plotting to turn the country into a one-party state, it is better to, as usual, go on TV to say all he had to say.”
The former governor also alleged that Makinde was cautioned against taking conflicting positions in private discussions and public statements.
“He was told pointedly that he can’t come to the closet on political matters to eat his words while saying another thing to the public,” the statement added.
On the 2027 general election, Fayose claimed that Tinubu made it known that he was not relying on Makinde’s backing ahead of the polls.
“The President told Governor Makinde that he was not expecting any support from him regarding 2027, and that he should also expect that the President will support his party,” Fayose disclosed.
Fayose also alleged that the President reiterated his ties with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, noting that Makinde’s disagreements with him were personal.
“Wike is someone whose support and consistency the President can’t deny or wish away,” Fayose said. “If Makinde has issues with Wike, that is between the two of them.”
He concluded by questioning the handling of funds released to Oyo State following the January 2023 explosion in Ibadan.
“Shouldn’t Makinde tell the people of Oyo State if he has returned the N30bn he admitted to have received from the Federal Government as intervention fund?” he asked.