Former Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose has stated that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde will not be contesting for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.
Governor Makinde, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had earlier expressed confidence in his capacity to occupy the highest political office in the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the two-term governor said, “I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes but what I want to do right now, is it what Nigerians are asking for right now, is it what my party will say we should do, we don’t know; we still have a long time to go.”
However, Fayose on Wednesday dismissed speculations about Makinde’s presidential ambition, saying the Oyo governor had no plans to run.
Responding to a question about the possibility of Makinde being on the 2027 presidential ballot alongside Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu, Fayose said, “Let me say to you, I have when I saw adverts, running on the social media.
“With due respect to Governor Makinde, I forwarded it to him. And he called me. And he said it’s not wrong. And he said he doesn’t know anything about those flyers.
“And it was some guys, some boys flying it.”
Fayose added that he trusts Makinde’s word and believes he has no intention of being used to divide a Yoruba man’s administration.
“And let me say to you. I will not put words in his mouth. I would rather believe whatever he tells me as a brother.
“And he told me that he’s not going to be the person that will be used against a Yoruba man as president. I stand to be corrected. I stand here to say that Gov. Makinde, by what he has told me …. except anything changes.”
