Fayose to Makinde: We can address you as ‘Excellency’ outside, at home, we’re your father

 

BY FOLASHADE KEHINDE

FORMER Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State cannot claim to be his leader, because he is the only Governor elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West, just as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State cannot claim to be the leader of former Governor Bola Tinubu.

While claiming that he was not in any leadership struggle with Makinde, Fayose said he respects his office as the current Governor of Oyo State and that he would be referred to as “Excellency” in public gatherings.

He, however, noted that, at home, “we are his father,” pointing out that Makinde would probably be 32 years when he was Governor in 2003.

“He is the leader in the South West by reasons of his office. When we go out, we will say Your Excellency but when we are at home, we are his father,” Fayose declared.

He said he used to be like Makinde in the South West too, but he never told anyone that he was their leader.

The former Ekiti Governor spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.

Fayose said, “I am not into any leadership struggle with Governor Makinde but the fact is that Governor Makinde cannot come out and say he is my leader. He is not. The fact is that if my son is coming and he is a governor, I have to get up because it is the norm.

“The gentleman is a governor and I must respect his office. Governor Makinde by all standards is the only PDP governor in the West. But all South South PDP governors, who is their leader? Because he is the only one we have, I used to be like that, but I never said to anyone, I am the leader of the west. But if he wants to be addressed like that, it is okay.”

On the issue of party leadership and elected office, the outspoken PDP chieftain said, “Is Governor Sanwo-Olu the leader of Asiwaju in Lagos? Is Ambode the leader of Tinubu in Lagos? Or is Governor Wike the leader of Odili? That language we have to choose it. Governor Makinde will probably be 32 years when I was governor in 2003.”

-ThePoint