The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has had enough, telling former Governor Ayodele Fayose to exit the party rather than continue his public ridicule. This ultimatum comes after Fayose declared on Channels Television that the PDP, both in Ekiti and nationally, is “dead,” has “lost its soul,” and will never win another election.
Dare Adeleke, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ekiti, condemned Fayose’s remarks, highlighting a pattern of betrayal from the man who twice became governor under the party’s banner. Adeleke specifically pointed to Fayose’s consistent endorsement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state as an act of disloyalty that will no longer be tolerated.
Adeleke alleges that Fayose’s treachery stems from his failed attempts to seize control of the PDP’s structure in Ekiti, efforts that were successfully resisted by party members and leaders. According to Adeleke, Fayose has simply lost his political footing in the state, making it difficult for anyone, especially party officials, to join him in undermining the PDP.
“Why has Fayose refused to leave the same party he repeatedly described as a ‘carcass’ and ‘dead entity’?” Adeleke questioned. “He eventually admitted he was a bitter, disgruntled man, one who betrayed his own party simply because he didn’t get what he wanted.”
Adeleke drew a sharp analogy: “Like a soldier who repeatedly sells secrets to the enemy and then complains about not getting promoted, Fayose wants rewards from the same party he undermines.” He further criticized Fayose’s admission of supporting President Tinubu based on friendship and kinship, dismissing it as clannish sentiment over merit.
He concluded by asserting that Fayose’s claimed political influence is baseless, noting,
“If Fayose was truly as politically influential as he claims, he would have moved the PDP’s structure in Ekiti to APC or ADC. But not one ward or LGA chairman has followed him.”
Despite Fayose’s criticisms, Adeleke remains optimistic, vowing that the PDP will reclaim Ekiti State from the APC in next year’s elections. “I assure Fayose, the father and grandfather of betrayal, that the PDP, which he now refers to as ‘they’, remains strong,” Adeleke stated emphatically. “We will mobilise true party loyalists… The PDP will win Ekiti State, and I am emphatic about this.”
