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A leading governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Fayose, has publicly criticized his brother and former governor, Ayo Fayose, over his recent endorsement of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term bid
In his reaction, Emmanuel Fayose described the endorsement as a personal opinion lacking the backing of the Ekiti people. He expressed disappointment in Ayo Fayose, accusing him of overestimating his political relevance and attempting to dictate the future of Ekiti politics based on personal interests.
He said, I respect ex-Governor Fayose, but I respectfully disagree with him that anyone who wants to contest in Ekiti should wait till Governor Biodun Oyebanji completes eight years in 2030. The people of Ekiti deserve leadership now, not five years from now. We cant pause the future for individual preferences. Leadership is not inherited, and democracy cannot be dictated by family ties.
Emmanuel Fayose argued that his brother’s political influence has declined, noting that previous candidates endorsed by the former governor” Prof. Kolapo Olusola in 2018 and Bisi Kolawole in 2022 ” were defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Joju his son, who ran for House of Representatives in 2023.
He maintained that the decision on who governs Ekiti in 2026 should lie with the people, who are increasingly politically aware and hungry for genuine leadership, not recycled endorsements.
This mandate is not a privilege of bloodline; it is a duty to the people, he added. “I am not here to lay claim to any family legacy. I am here because I have listened to the people, and I believe I can help lead Ekiti to a more inclusive, prosperous future.
Fayose emphasized that his ambition is driven by a sincere desire to serve, not by personal gain. This awareness is not about noise or name-calling, he said. It is about vision, capacity, and responsibility. Our elders have played their roles, but now the people are calling for something fresh, something real. That’s what I represent.
He urged the people of Ekiti to remain vigilant and reject any attempts to impose leadership through political manipulation or personal interest.
