Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has disclosed why he rejected separate invitations from President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fayose made the revelation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists.
He also used the opportunity to explain why he has continued to support the administration of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, despite remaining a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former governor said his decision not to defect to the APC was based on personal conviction rather than political calculations.
According to him, offers from some of the party’s top leaders, including Buhari and Tinubu, could not change his position.
Fayose said the attempts to bring him into the APC dated back several years. He explained that one of the approaches came around the period former Governor Kayode Fayemi was preparing to return as governor of Ekiti State.
According to him, Tinubu personally reached out and invited him to become a member of the APC. He, however, declined the invitation.
He added that Buhari also made a similar appeal while serving as President, but he maintained the same position and refused to join the ruling party.
Fayose said the efforts did not end with phone conversations. He disclosed that he was later taken to meet the then National Chairman of the APC, where another attempt was made to convince him to defect.
Despite the discussions, he insisted he would not abandon his political platform or align himself with the Buhari administration.
The former governor also revealed that he was promised political influence in Ekiti if he agreed to join the APC. According to him, he was told the political structure of the state would be left in his hands.
However, he said such assurances did not influence his decision.
Speaking on the issue, Fayose said: “I was governor for seven and a half years; I never had peace. The state was governed in turmoil and confusion. Tinubu called me and told me to come and join APC. I said I won’t join. This happened five years ago when Fayemi was about to be governor. The President called me that I should come. I said I’m not coming. When Buhari was there, he told me I should come. I said I’m not coming.
“He said he would take me there. I said I’m not going. They took me to the office of the then National Chairman. They talked to me. I said I’m not going to work with Buhari. I’m very clear. They said they would leave the state for me. Don’t leave it. If they had left the state for me, I didn’t know Oyebanji would come.”
Fayose also reflected on his years in office, describing his administration as one marked by constant political tension and intense battles.
According to him, he spent most of his time in government dealing with conflicts and political crises, leaving little room for peace.
He admitted that losing political control of Ekiti after leaving office was a painful experience.
The former governor said he fought hard during the political contest that followed, adding that he sustained injuries during the struggle.
Fayose disclosed that the spinal problem he currently lives with was a consequence of the political events surrounding the election.
He, however, noted that the passage of time had changed his outlook.
According to him, Governor Oyebanji’s emergence has given him a different perspective on the future of Ekiti State.
He said the governor’s leadership has brought stability and progress, describing his administration as beneficial to the people.
Continuing his remarks, Fayose said: “Asiwaju told me to go and press the stomach of the people you are picking. I said, I will tell you the story. Whichever way, I wasn’t happy that the state was taken from me. I wasn’t happy at all. I fought. I was equally injured. All the problem I had with my spine was as a result of that election. But today, God who sees tomorrow has produced you for me.”
