Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu firmly shut down Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, when the latter visited the Presidential Villa on Thursday, insisting that their discussion be limited strictly to official state matters.
In a statement titled “Untold story of what happened in the Villa during Governor Makinde’s visit to the President today,” Fayose alleged that Makinde was unable to secure a private audience with the president and had to seek the support of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, during the visit.
According to Fayose, President Tinubu made it clear that he was only willing to listen to Makinde on matters concerning governance in Oyo State, not politics.
“The President told him that if it was about official matters regarding Oyo State, he would listen to him,” Fayose claimed. “But if it had to do with politics and his public accusation that certain individuals were plotting to turn the country into a one-party state, he should return to television to say whatever he wanted.”
Fayose further alleged that Tinubu cautioned Makinde against what he described as double standards in private and public engagements.
“He was told pointedly that he cannot speak one way in public and come privately to retract or soften his position on political issues,” the statement said.
On the 2027 general election, Fayose claimed that the president did not expect any political support from Makinde and equally made his own position clear.
“The President told Governor Makinde that he was not expecting any support from him in 2027, and that Makinde should also expect that the President will support his own party,” Fayose stated.
The former governor also alleged that Tinubu reaffirmed his close relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing Makinde’s rift with Wike as a personal matter.
“Wike is someone whose support and consistency the President cannot deny,” Fayose said. “If Makinde has issues with Wike, that is strictly between the two of them.”
Fayose concluded by raising questions about funds reportedly released to Oyo State following the January 2023 Ibadan explosion, calling for public accountability.
“Shouldn’t Governor Makinde tell the people of Oyo State whether he has returned the N30 billion he admitted receiving from the Federal Government as an intervention fund?” he asked.
Neither the Presidency nor Governor Makinde has officially responded to Fayose’s claims as of the time of filing this report.
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