…Says Atiku Should Stay Away From Contesting Elections

…Insists Wike, Fubara Fight Unfortunate

A former governor of Ekiti State and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Fayose, has expressed regret over the crisis rocking the former leading party in Nigeria.

He said that the suspension and counter-suspension within the party has brought the party too low to the level of embarrassment which according to him is not necessary.

”The current situation in our party has made a mockery of suspension and counter-suspension, especially at that level of leadership,” Fayose said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

“And sadly now, the current situation in the party has taken the party so low to the level of embarrassment that is most unnecessary.”

The ex-Ekiti governor said the current crisis in the main opposition party is as a result of the loss of the 2023 general election to the All Progressives Congress (APC).


According to Fayose, it will need divine intervention for the PDP to hold together again as a strong political party that will challenge the top political positions in the country.

“The mismanagement and arrogance of a few today is haunting the party and they say when the head is sick the whole body is gone. So, it will need God’s intervention, it will need a miracle for this party to be put together again,” he said.

On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja barred the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) from removing Umar Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of the party, a ruling Fayose said has tied the hands of everyone in the party.

Asked whether Damagum should step aside, Fayose said whatever his suggestion is at the moment won’t matter because a court of law has taken a decision on the matter.

Fayose also debunked reports that he had declared interest in becoming the national chairman of the PDP, saying that the position is too hot for his age now. He said he does not want to seek any position in the party either now or soon.

“There was a write-up going around yesterday that I have declared for national chairman. That is an irresponsible statement that is not from me and will never be from me.

“I don’t even want to be anything in the party anymore, I don’t even want an appointment of any sort. I never said I have declared for national chairman of the party – God forbid, that seat is too hot for my age now. I don’t want such and I will never aspire for such,” Fayose said.

The PDP crisis also extended to Rivers State where the governor Siminalayi Fubara has been in a running battle for the soul of the party in the state with his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

When their relationship was still good, Fayose had advised Fubara in a video that later went viral never to have a disagreement with Wike.

However, the relationship between the political father and son later went sour and Fayose has described the situation as “very unfortunate”.

I said all I said in good faith. All I said was to ensure there is harmony between Governor Fubara and Governor Wike, but the turnout of events has given everybody a lot of concern.

Fayose also expressed fear that the Wike and Fubara case has gone beyond reconciliation, saying, “The crisis is very, very unfortunate. I believe that the matter has crossed the Rubicon, the matter has gone far.

“Even if you want to resolve this matter, how do you put the trust back? So, I would rather want to believe that it is too far for a call for reconciliation.”

Meanwhile, Fayose has advised the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to move on from contesting elections in the country.

Atiku unsuccessfully ran for the highest office in the land in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, with three losses occurring at primaries.

”I am sure at this stage with all due respect to him, he would rather want to stay away from politics of contesting elections again,” Fayose said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics while speaking on the crisis in the PDP.

The 63-year-old suggested that holding the highest office in the country would lose its appeal and excitement for an octogenarian in the next election cycle.

”By the time Asiwaju(Bola Tinubu) will finish, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81 so what will be the attraction?

”We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest, I respect him and I think Nigerians are craving for a younger generation than ever before so on what basis will Atiku come and contest again,” he said.

Despite his feelings about the former vice president contesting in the 2027 presidential elections, Atiku has shown optimism at making the 7th-time his lucky charm

The 77-year-old told Voice of America Hausa in May  “God willing”.when asked whether he would try again,

He added that he won’t back down from running for President “As long as God gives me strength, good health, and long life”.

“A former President of America, Abraham Lincoln, didn’t he vie seven times?” he asked rhetorically.

Speaking on the chances of his party, challenging the APC, Fayose noted that the structures that once made the party great have collapsed and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections Peter Obi has become a more recognisable figure in the fight to oust the current administration.

”As I always say we can defeat the APC but when we don’t have a party again how can we defeat them,” he said

”When we complain about the APC and we don’t have a party and you can say you will do this and that, but when Obi is the voice of the opposition now. The press will call Obi than call the PDP and when the Publicity Secretary is suspending people and vice-versa, so where is the party?”