Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of positioning himself as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece,” claiming the move followed an alleged cold reception from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent visit to the Presidential Villa.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fayose alleged that Makinde’s recent criticisms of President Tinubu—made at the birthday event of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo—were driven by frustration after an unsuccessful attempt to mend fences with the President.
“That Seyi Makinde’s derogatory comment against President Tinubu at Osinbajo’s birthday further confirmed that he got a cold shoulder from the President during his last visit to the Villa,” Fayose said.
According to Fayose, Makinde had initially sought to manage the fallout from his earlier public comments against the President but was allegedly disappointed by the outcome of his visit.
“In his attempt to do damage control on his public speech against the President, Makinde met the shock of his political life when he visited Asiwaju last week,” he stated.
Fayose claimed the encounter effectively ended any reconciliation efforts between the two leaders, particularly as the 2027 general elections approach.
“It is now obvious that after getting that cold shoulder from the President, Makinde must have realized that the end of the road has come in terms of reconciliation between him and the President,” he added.
He further alleged that President Tinubu has made his political stance on Oyo State clear ahead of 2027.
“As far as Oyo State is concerned, the President made it clear that he will support his party’s candidates in 2027,” Fayose claimed.
The former Ekiti governor argued that Makinde’s subsequent remarks—reportedly describing President Tinubu as a dictator while praising the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari—were a direct reaction to the alleged snub.
“If Makinde had gotten the soft landing he expected from the President, he wouldn’t have gone out to condemn the government of President Tinubu,” Fayose said.
Fayose also cast doubt on Makinde’s political future within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting the governor may contest future elections under a different platform.
“The APC in Oyo State should wake up and slug it out with Makinde’s candidate, which he will field under the ADC, knowing fully well that the PDP won’t be open for him to use,” he added.
The claims have sparked renewed debate about political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in Oyo State.
