Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is positioning himself as an opposition voice following what he described as a cold reception from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement on Saturday, Fayose said Makinde’s recent remarks against President Tinubu at the birthday event of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were evidence of frustration after an unsuccessful attempt to mend fences with the President.
According to Fayose, Makinde had visited the Presidential Villa last week in a bid to soften the impact of his earlier public comments against the President but was allegedly rebuffed. He claimed the outcome of the visit made it clear that reconciliation between Makinde and President Tinubu was unlikely.
Fayose further stated that President Tinubu had reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, a development he said signaled the end of any political accommodation for Makinde at the federal level.
“The posture Makinde is now adopting as an emergency opposition mouthpiece is a direct reaction to the response he received from the President,” Fayose said, adding that Makinde’s criticism of Tinubu and praise for the Buhari administration would not have occurred if he had received what he termed a “soft landing.”
He also urged the APC in Oyo State to intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, claiming that Makinde would likely back a candidate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would no longer be available for his political use.
Fayose said the developments had vindicated his earlier position on the matter.
The statement was signed by Ayodele Fayose, who served as Governor of Ekiti State between 2003–2006 and 2014–2018, and dated January 25, 2026.
