Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Barrister Gboyega Oguntuase, has clarified why the party has not suspended former Governor Ayodele Fayose over alleged anti-party activities.
He noted that Fayose had been upfront with party members about not considering himself a loyal member of the PDP. Oguntuase stated that instead of hastily moving to suspend Fayose from his ward, the party would focus on strategizing to win the elections.
It is worth mentioning that Fayose did not support the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 election and is reported to have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Additionally, Fayose has publicly endorsed the current governor of Ekiti State for reelection in 2026, a decision perceived by party members as constituting anti-party behaviour.
Addressing the press yesterday in Ado Ekiti, Oguntuase said: “There are so many things that the PDP takes more seriously than the conduct of Fayose.
“What is important to us is that we must strategize on winning elections without him because he has said he will not be for us.
“That is more important than rushing to his ward to get him suspended or expelled.
“You media people are the ones dignifying him; we don’t have time for him. We are more concerned about rebuilding our party, that is what is important now.”
The former chairman added: “Fayose has been kind enough to demonstrate that he is not a loyal PDP member.
“He has been kind enough to manifestly show that he will undo the party in the next governorship election. He has indicated that he is for the opposition in the next election.
“He declared at every fora that the current Governor, Abayomi Oyebanji, should continue for another four years.
“As far as we are concerned, if such a person is again complaining that he is not included in the future development of the PDP, you see that it is self-contradictory.
“Do you want us to commit a blunder by bringing in a spy or an enemy into our strategic planning? The answer is no.
“Those who set up the caretaker committee have taken a lot of things into consideration.”
Commenting on the new caretaker committee, Oguntuase remarked that the timely composition of the committee would help loyal and committed members to focus on rebuilding the party for future elections in the state.
“The caretaker committee headed by Lanre Adeleke will encourage those of us who are committed to rebuilding the party and even working across political parties to see that we gain more people.
“I am happy they have set up caretaker committees in all the local governments. This will encourage us to start having a lot of activities,” he stated.
