Former Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Otunba Femi Ayodele, has faulted the recent verbal attack by the former Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, against ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, describing it as malicious, misplaced, and opportunistic.
Awe had condemned Fayemi for cautioning the APC against admitting defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into its fold, a stance Fayemi likened to “Iru wa ogiri wa” (all comers). But Ayodele, in a statement made available to newsmen, said Awe’s reaction was not driven by altruism but by longstanding personal animosity toward the former governor.
“It is malicious to attack Fayemi for speaking the truth about the infiltration of PDP elements into our party. Fayemi only echoed the feelings of thousands of genuine APC members who have been sidelined, while political strangers are being elevated,” Ayodele said.
The ex-council boss reminded Awe of how Fayemi once came to his rescue during his travails under former Governor Ayodele Fayose, who, according to him, persecuted APC members between 2014 and 2018. He argued that it was ironic for Awe to now align with Fayose, a man who allegedly tormented party leaders, exiled Awe for three years, and attempted to ban Fayemi from political office.
“Fayose, who could not produce a successor in his own party, now enjoys patronage in APC, with over 170 appointments in the current administration, while core APC members who worked tirelessly for victory are left to suffer neglect. This is unjust and unacceptable,” Ayodele added.
He questioned whether Fayemi consulted Awe or Fayose before facilitating the emergence of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in 2022, insisting that Fayemi’s political machinery was the backbone of Oyebanji’s landslide victory over Fayose’s candidate.
Ayodele further accused Awe of playing “politics of convenience,” suggesting that his alliance with Fayose was motivated by personal interests rather than loyalty to the APC. He warned that such political marriages of convenience would not last, insisting that genuine party members would continue to stand with Fayemi.
“Rather than insulting Fayemi, Awe should commend him for building APC into a formidable force in Ekiti and for ensuring back-to-back victories for the first time in the state’s history. The attack on Fayemi is nothing but ingratitude and opportunism,” he declared.
Ayodele reaffirmed his loyalty to Fayemi, describing him as a leader who has consistently defended the interests of the APC and its grassroots members. He vowed that voices like his would not remain silent while those who benefitted from Fayemi’s sacrifices attempt to malign him.
