Former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose has conceded the South-West leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde.
He spoke at the Southwest zonal congress of the PDP in Osogbo, capital of Osun State on Monday.
He made the declaration on Monday during the South-West Zonal Congress at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), Osogbo, Osun State.
When Fayose entered the venue, he went straight to where Makinde sat and greeted him. Both of them had a warm hug.
Speaking in English and Yoruba, Fayose said “Nothing will last forever. And if I have offended anybody, I apologize.
According to him: “Governor Seyi Makinde is our leader. Our supporters and lovers should not continue to put hedge in between us. Either way this election goes, I will accept.
“Even though Arapaja has abused me so much, I will be the first person to visit him in Ibadan. Nobody has offended me and if I have offended anybody, I sincerely apologise. Seyi Makinde remains our father come what may.”
“Don’t allow them to give us a name that’s not ours in Yorubaland. The time of our Governor, Seyi Makinde, will not fail.
Fayose further used a proverb to describe what went wrong. He said “Ija l’ode t’orin d’owe”. Meaning: “It was the fight that occurred that made a song become a proverb”.
“Seyi Makinde and I are one since. But under any leadership regardless of the level, you are our father. God will help you succeed.”
Makinde, also addressing the delegates, said: “This is a family affair. It is an attempt to reposition our party in the Southwest. It has ramifications for our party nationally.
“Whatever the outcome is, we will take it in the spirit of a family contest. We don’t want to defeat ourselves; we want to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“At the end of this exercise, there will be no victor, no vanquished. As the only Governor of the party in the zone, whoever emerges, I will work with them to reposition the party. I thank you for the peaceful conduct.”
Governor Samuel Ortom, Chairman of the South-West Zonal Congress Electoral/Congress Committee, was represented by his Deputy, Benson Adounu.
Video:
The former Governor of Ekiti State, H.E Ayodele Fayose has agreed to the leadership of Oyo State Governor, H.E., Seyi Makinde in PDP South West. He has apologised for his wrongs and pledged his support for the Party and Seyi Makinde leadership. pic.twitter.com/lWAWaCMWJO
— Premier (@SodiqTade) April 12, 2021
