The Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest terms the reckless, insensitive and politically dangerous comments credited to former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, wherein he alleged that the recent bandit attack in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may have been orchestrated by Governor Seyi Makinde to blackmail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Fayose publicly accused Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of orchestrating the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo, claiming it was done to blackmail President Bola Tinubu during a Channel Television political program.
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The PDP who spoke through a statement from its Southwest Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, said such statement exposed Fayose’s glaring double standards on insecurity, political morality and public accountability, at a time when Nigerians are being killed, abducted and displaced by criminal elements across the country.
“Fayose’s hypocrisy becomes even more evident when viewed against developments in his home state of Ekiti, where armed men recently attacked a church in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, killing a visiting pastor and abducting several worshippers who remain in captivity.
“Eda-Oniyo is barely thirty minutes away from Afao-Ekiti, Fayose’s hometown. Yet, he neither accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of negligence nor demanded answers from the state government regarding the deteriorating security situation, while innocent citizens remained in captivity.
“Most disturbing was his recent appearance in Ilawe-Ekiti, within Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, where he openly met and fraternized with APC members and political leaders in furtherance of his campaign for the APC governor. At no point during his visit did he demonstrate empathy for the victims of the Eda-Oniyo attack or use his platform to demand urgent action from the government.
“This selective outrage exposes the insincerity behind his comments on the Oyo incident and confirms that his criticisms are driven not by concern for victims of insecurity but by partisan calculations.
“Even more troubling is the question of political morality. Fayose still publicly claims to be the leader of the PDP in Ekiti State, yet he has become one of the loudest advocates of Governor Oyebanji’s re-election under the APC.
“Beyond that, he successfully fielded his own biological son under the APC platform and continues to work tirelessly for the electoral success of a party he claims not to belong to. Nigerians and PDP members in particular are justified in asking: How does a self-acclaimed PDP leader justify openly campaigning for the APC while simultaneously claiming ownership of the PDP?
“Such conduct represents a fundamental contradiction that undermines every principle of party loyalty, political integrity and ideological consistency.”
“The Southwest PDP urges Nigerians to reject attempts to weaponize insecurity for partisan advantage. We stand firmly with the government and people of Oyo State in this difficult moment and commend Governor Seyi Makinde’s unwavering commitment to the security and welfare of the people.
“Security challenges require responsible leadership, national unity and sincere collaboration, not inflammatory allegations from individuals whose political positions shift according to personal interests,”he said.
The Guardian
