FAYOSE says MAKINDE has suddenly become “emergency opposition mouthpiece” after TINUBU snub

Monday, January 26, 2026 - Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of positioning himself as an opposition spokesman following what he described as an unfriendly reception by President Bola Tinubu.

Fayose made the allegation while reacting to comments attributed to Makinde at an event marking the birthday of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, where the Oyo governor reportedly criticised the Tinubu administration.

According to Fayose, the remarks reinforced claims that Makinde was recently rebuffed during a visit to the Presidential Villa.

In a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja, Fayose said Makinde visited President Tinubu in an attempt to address the fallout from his earlier public comments. He claimed the visit ended without progress, alleging that the President gave the Oyo governor a cold reception.

Fayose said the meeting demonstrated that reconciliation between Makinde and President Tinubu was unlikely. He further alleged that the President had made it clear he would support only candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Fayose, Makinde’s recent criticism of the Tinubu administration is linked to this development, adding that the governor’s comments reflect a shift towards assuming the role of an opposition spokesman.

Fayose also alleged that if Makinde had received a favourable response from the President, he would not have publicly criticised the administration or described President Tinubu as a dictator while praising the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former Ekiti governor then urged the APC in Oyo State to begin preparations for the 2027 elections, calling on party members to challenge any candidate Makinde may support, possibly under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not be available for Makinde’s political ambitions.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Makinde nor the Presidency had responded to Fayose’s claims.