Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has taken a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accusing him of attempting to assume the role of an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” after allegedly being snubbed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent visit to the Presidential Villa.
In a statement released on Sunday, the 25th of January, 2026, Fayose claimed that Makinde’s recent public criticism of President Tinubu was driven by disappointment over a failed reconciliation effort. He alleged that Makinde’s comments, made at the birthday celebration of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, were a fallout of the reception he received at the Villa.
“That Seyi Makinde’s derogatory comment against President Tinubu at Osinbajo’s birthday further confirmed that he got a cold shoulder from the President during his last visit to the Villa,” Fayose said.
According to him, Makinde had hoped to smooth relations with the President following earlier remarks perceived as hostile but was left disillusioned by the outcome of the meeting.
“In his attempt to do damage control on his public speech against the President, Makinde met the shock of his political life when he visited Asiwaju last week,” he stated.
Fayose further asserted that the encounter signaled a breakdown in any prospect of political understanding between both leaders, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
“It is now obvious that after getting that cold shoulder from the President, Makinde must have realized that the end of the road has come in terms of reconciliation between him and the President,” Fayose said.
He also claimed that President Tinubu had clearly stated his political stance regarding Oyo State.
“As far as Oyo State is concerned, the President made it clear that he will support his party’s candidates in 2027,” Fayose claimed.
READ ALSO: Fayose Alleges Tension In Makinde’s Closed-Door Meeting With Tinubu
The former governor argued that Makinde’s subsequent remarks where he reportedly labeled President Tinubu a dictator while commending the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari were reactions to the alleged snub.
“If Makinde had gotten the soft landing he expected from the President, he wouldn’t have gone out to condemn the government of President Tinubu,” he said.
Fayose also cast doubts on Makinde’s future within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, suggesting that the governor may be forced to seek another platform.
“The APC in Oyo State should wake up and slug it out with Makinde’s candidate, which he will field under the ADC, knowing fully well that the PDP won’t be open for him to use,” Fayose added.