By Adeleye Kunle
Kehinde Agboola, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ekiti State, has accused former state governor Ayodele Fayose of sowing confusion in the party with his demands for a southern presidency in 2023.
While Agboola believes there is nothing wrong with a southern presidency, he believes Fayose’s timing is incorrect and is causing unnecessary tension in the party.
He claimed that after taking part in the PDP presidential primaries, which clearly produced Atiku Abubakar, Fayose suddenly changed his tune and began demanding a southern presidency.
He contended that all of the commotion should have occurred prior to the announcement of a party candidate, not after.
In an interview with Tracknews, the former House of Representatives member stated, “Imagine our leader (Fayose) wanting a southern presidential candidate overnight, when he was an aspirant in a level playing field, but after having a candidate, suddenly he prefers a southerner, indirectly creating confusion.”
In response to another question, the ex-lawmaker stated that Fayose is the only one demanding a southern presidency after the party’s candidate had already been announced.
“Despite the fact that Atiku is from the North, some pro-Wike forces, including Fayose, believe the President must be from the South…
“It is only Governor Fayose who is anti-Wike.” Apart from Fayose, I don’t know anyone else who believes this. We listened to others, including Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, but no one else said that,” he added.
Individually, Agboola stated that he supports the party’s decision because that is what democracy is all about.
“I stand by the party primary that was held,” he said. I would have been pleased if Fayose had won that primary. I would have been happy if Wike had won, but now that Atiku has won, I am also happy because it was clear that everyone there saw it, which is the beauty of democracy.”
According to Track News, Fayose stated days after the PDP presidential primaries that he may not support his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
On Wednesday, June 29, the former Ekiti State governor dropped a hint on his verified Twitter page.
Following Muhammadu Buhari’s two-term presidency, it was the turn of the South, according to Fayose, to produce Nigeria’s next president.
Using a Yoruba slang term now associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, Fayose stated that it is the turn of the south or nothing.
“The PDP Constitution provides for a rotating presidency,” Fayose wrote. Section 3(c) states that the Party will pursue its goals and objectives by “adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and public elective offices in accordance with the principles of equity, justice, and fairness.”
“Nigeria’s current President is a two-term Northern Presidency, implying that it MUST be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or NOTHING.”
“‘South’ lo kan.'” Nigerians should expect more information soon.”
In another interview, Fayose stated that he does not mind if the PDP expelled him because of his stance.
“What I’m saying is, it’s the turn of the South, and if they want to expel me, to hell with them,” he said. I am not being paid to be a member of this party.
“If they want to rock the boat, we will help them.”
This article first appeared on Track News.
