Fayose throws his weight behind Atiku say he will support him despite his misgivings

FORMER Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has pledged to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the next elections despite having misgivings about his candidature.

In late June at its annual convention in Abuja, the PDP, elected Alhaji Abubakar as its flagbearer for next year's presidential election. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was a candidate in that election but he was beaten into second place and to make matters worse for him, he was not then picked as the party's running mate.

With Alhaji Abubakar opting to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, Governor Wike has been on the war path and there are now fears that he will dump the PDP. Among the primary demands of the Wike camp is that party chairman Senator Ayu stands down as it is unacceptable for him and the presidential candidate to both be northerners.

Over recent weeks, Governor Fayose has been a key member of the Wike camp and there had been fears that he may even defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).  However, while addressing party members yesterday in Ado Ekiti the Ekiti State capital, Governor Fayose said the leadership of the PDP had been making efforts to ensure it gets the support of Governor Wike.

Governor Fayose said:  “A lot has been said but like I have said many times, let me state it here expressly again that I will never join APC for whatever reason. In all the issues we are having as a party, no one has said that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not our presidential candidate and no one has said too that Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is not our party’s vice presidential candidate.

“Also, we have senatorial, House of Representatives and house of assembly candidates here. Among them is my biological son, Joju and others who are my political sons and daughters and my interest is that all these candidates should win elections.

“Therefore, I am appealing to those who are angry to stop being angry. Those who are fighting should stop fighting. Let us face the 2023 elections together and win first. After that, we can resume the fight.”

Bisi Kolawole,, the PDP candidate in the last Ekiti State governorship election, used the meeting to thank party members for supporting him during the contest. Also, Lanre Omolase, the acting state party chairman said they all believed in Governor Fayose’s leadership, calling on all those plotting against him to sheath their swords in the interest of the party candidates who are standing for elections next year.