One of the strong agitators for a southern candidate for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ex-governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has made a U-turn to support the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar who is from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to reports, the PDP stalwart says he will not be defecting from the party despite the current ordeals rocking the party at present.
The former Ekiti state governor who is known to be a strong ally of Governor Nyesom Wike says his relationship with the radical politician still remains strong despite his decision to support Atiku.
Fayose made this known on Monday, September 19 while addressing stakeholders of the party in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
The leadership of the PDP had been making efforts to ensure the support of the Rivers State Governor for the presidential candidate of the party.
Mr Wike has been indifferent to the party’s activities since he lost the presidential ticket to Mr Atiku and was also not considered for the Vice Presidential slot.
The governors of Lagos and Ekiti states, Babajide Sanwo-olu and Kayode Fayemi had, in the company of Mr Fayose, travelled to Rivers State apparently to woo the governor to the APC.
Although rumours had it that Mr Wike was considering dumping the PDP ahead of the 2023 presidential election, the governor came out to deny it.
However, Mr Fayose said on Monday that despite his support for the Rivers State Governor, he will work for Mr Atiku in the coming election.
“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,” he said.
“In all the issues we are having as a party, no one has said that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not our presidential candidate. 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. 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.”
