Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has described the ongoing defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as justification for the stance earlier taken by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the G-5 governors, whom he said have now been vindicated.
Speaking during an interview on TVC, Fayose said most of the governors who defected acted in their own interest, based on what they believed would secure their political future and that of their people, adding that he would not blame them. He also disclosed that he had earlier warned PDP leaders about the looming challenges facing the party.
“When the roof started sinking, I came out and spoke. I told Seun Okinbaloye that the PDP would face a lot of challenges,” he stated.
Fayose said Wike was open about grievances within the party, particularly regarding agreements reached with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which he claimed were not honoured.
“Governor Wike did not hide anything. He openly said that what Atiku agreed with them was not done. He fought that cause and he did not fight alone,” Fayose said.
He added that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other members of the G-5 alliance stood firm, noting that they engaged the president on several occasions.
According to Fayose, although many Nigerians initially branded the G-5 governors as traitors, recent events have changed perceptions.
Many people saw the G-5 governors as traitors. But if you sit back now, the presidential candidate of the PDP has left, the vice-presidential candidate has left, governors and senators have left,” he said.
Fayose concluded that the wave of defections confirmed that Wike had anticipated the crisis long before others, noting that the developments had ultimately vindicated him. “What they never saw, Wike saw earlier on,” he said.
