Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has declared that his support for President Bola Tinubu does not constitute anti-party activity, insisting that national interest must always take precedence over party loyalty.
Fayose, a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, made the remarks on Sunday at the PDP national convention in Abuja, where he mounted a robust defence of his controversial stance.
The former governor argued that political differences on national issues were a natural and healthy feature of democracy, drawing on international examples to buttress his position.
He said, “Nigeria is for all of us. You are first an Ekiti man before you become a political party card bearer. All the former governors are behind the current governor.”
Fayose also pointed to the conduct of former United States President Barack Obama, noting that Obama had not publicly backed the Democratic Party’s recent positions, just as former presidents had not aligned with Donald Trump, yet faced no expulsion from their parties.
He said, “Obama is not supporting the Democrats, the former president is not supporting Trump, have they expelled them? No, democracy will have those differences on national issues.”
The former governor went further, urging Nigerians to prioritise competence over party affiliation when assessing political leadership.
He queried, “We must not say because it’s our party member that must win when we know our party member has no capacity. Would you compare a Makinde with an Asiwaju?“
