Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has attributed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) lingering internal troubles and weakened opposition status to decisions taken by its top leaders ahead of the 2023 general election.
Speaking during an interview on Friday, Fayose accused the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-national chairman Iyorchia Ayu of taking actions that fractured the party and eroded unity.
“Atiku destroyed the PDP, Tambuwal destroyed the PDP, and Ayu destroyed it. Politics is not fair; even life itself is not balanced,” Fayose said.
The former governor, a long-time PDP member, defended his decision to back President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress during the last presidential election, insisting his stance was driven by personal conviction rather than political gain.
“I am not contesting elections and I have not asked anyone for favours. Everybody must stand where they can speak the truth to Nigerians,” he said.
Fayose stressed that his support for Tinubu was public and consistent, noting that he neither defected to the APC nor concealed his position.
“I openly supported Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023 and I didn’t hide it. I am still there. I didn’t jump ship. I am not a member of the APC and I will never be,” he stated.
He also commented on the political crisis in Rivers State, saying he did not anticipate the breakdown in relations between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Fayose recalled urging caution during Fubara’s inauguration.
“I was on the high table that day and told Wike I wanted to advise Fubara not to betray him,” he said.
The PDP has struggled with internal disputes since the 2022 presidential primaries, where Atiku emerged as candidate after Tambuwal stepped down in his favour. Ayu’s refusal to resign as national chairman, despite pressure from some party leaders, further widened cracks within the party.
Those disagreements persisted through the 2023 elections and continue to fuel uncertainty over the PDP’s cohesion and its ability to function effectively as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
