A former Governor of Ekiti State and strongman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has responded to the open criticism of him by his erstwhile political godson and deputy, Prof. Olusola Kolapo Eleka.
Recall that Prof. Kolapo had, in a letter to the PDP, withdrew from the senatorial contest in the state, claiming that his former principal, after having supported his ambition, now endorsed another candidate.
He had written in the letter, ““To my great surprise, Mr. Ayodele Fayose who openly endorsed my candidacy for senate in my town, discretely aided another person from the same constituency to pick the same senatorial form.
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“The above left me with no choice but to consider his endorsement as a facade and decoy,” he had written.
But the former governor, who said he did not want to join issues with his estranged deputy, however, went down memory lane how he (Fayose) brought him out from the classroom and made him deputy when he (Eleka) was unknown to anyone in the party at the time.
Most importantly, as a political follower and a Professor of repute, I feel you should not forget history that soon, by allowing yourself to be taken over by emotions such that you will speak ill of a man you once called your “greatest political leader.”
Mr. Fayose’s reaction came in the form of an open letter which is reproduced below:
RE: NOTIFICATION OF WITHDRAWAL FROM SENATORIAL CONTEST; I WASN’T DECEITFUL AND ARROGANT IN 2014 AND 2018 WHEN I CHOOSE YOU AS DEPUTY, GUBER CANDIDATE
I read your outburst in your letter to the National Chairman of our party, the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on the wthdrawal of your Senatorial aspiration for Ekiti South.
As my former Deputy and follower, a self-professed “Aremo Osoko,” even though I feel strongly that I should not join issues with you, it is important to set the records straight, especially on your use of words like deceitful and arrogant in addressing my person, which is highly regrettable.
Most importantly, as a political follower and a Professor of repute, I feel you should not forget history that soon, by allowing yourself to be taken over by emotions such that you will speak ill of a man you once called your “greatest political leader.”
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Have you forgotten that you were in the classroom when I brought you to be my deputy in 2014 without being part of my emergence as PDP candidate? This is aside the fact that you were unknown to anyone in the party then.
Then, I was not deceitful and arrogant, but the best if I may quote you rightly.
Recall it was condition precedent that we will leave office together in 2018. Rather than leaving with you, I endorsed you as PDP Governorship candidate and by the grace of God, you emerged the candidate against all odds and interests. I became the enemy of those who were opposed to your emergence as candidate without being tagged as deceitful and arrogant.
I also worked tirelessly for your election as governor, and you know that you are not the governor of Ekiti State today, not because we lost the election.
Then, I was to you, the greatest among leaders.
Unfortunately in 2022, for reasons known to you, you missed the privilege of being endorsed as I did in 2018, part of what earned me your new title of deceitful and arrogant.
I have become a man you openly disparage, forgetting that every day is not Christmas.
However, I consider this as prize for leadership. Nonetheless, all necessary lessons learnt.
Interestingly, the public you intend to get their sympathy against me are no fools. They certainly have a sense of history.
Eleka, as I always call you, I think it is time you do a soul-searching and ask yourself what went wrong.
Finally, let me state that my love for you goes beyond political followership and my doors shall remain open for you always. I wish you well.
