A Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Fayose, has criticised his elder brother and former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose, for declaring support for the All Progressives Congress and Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Ayodele Fayose, who wore a PDP-branded fez cap during a mega rally in Ado Ekiti on Monday, publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for second terms in office, backing them to remain in power until 2031 and 2030, respectively.
Reacting in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Emmanuel condemned the endorsement, describing it as a betrayal of the PDP.
“I urge Ayodele Fayose to leave the PDP if he has nothing to contribute to the repositioning of the party and restoring it to its pride of place, rather than ridiculing himself in the public space,” the younger Fayose stated.
He added, “My elder brother, former Governor Ayo Fayose, benefited immensely from the PDP and governed the state twice on the party’s platform. His recent endorsement of Governor Oyebanji amounts to a total betrayal of the PDP.”
The aspirant said he was dismayed by what he described as a “charade” staged by supposed leaders of Ekiti State, particularly the endorsement of Governor Oyebanji by some past governors.
“While acknowledging that the former governor has the right to take any political stance he deems fit, I am utterly disgusted that he had to drag the PDP into his show of shame.
“How could someone who benefited so greatly from the PDP now be seen undermining the same party in such a brazen and shameful manner? This does not reflect the Fayose ethos of Omoluabi in any way,” he said.
Describing the rally as a “show of shame”, he argued that despite the presence of former governors, defectors, and a rented crowd, the turnout was “far less than 10,000 people out of Ekiti’s three million population,” which, he said, “clearly shows the people are tired of the APC administration in the state.”
He also accused the APC of violating Independent National Electoral Commission regulations on political campaigns, urging the commission to impose appropriate sanctions.
“No one or party should be above the law,” he said.(Punch)
