Fayose Blames Atiku, Tambuwal, Ayu for PDP’s Deepening Crisis

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has reignited debate over the internal struggles of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing key party leaders of destroying the opposition from within. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Fayose directly blamed the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex–national chairman Iyorchia Ayu for what he described as the party’s collapse.

Fayose did not mince words as he assessed the party’s fortunes following the 2023 general election. According to him, internal decisions and personal ambitions undermined unity, leaving the PDP weakened and fractured.

“Atiku destroyed the PDP, Tambuwal destroyed the PDP, and Ayu destroyed it,” Fayose said during the interview. “Politics is not fair; life itself is not balanced.”

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His remarks come at a time when the PDP continues to struggle with reconciliation efforts after its electoral loss, while internal disagreements remain unresolved across several state chapters.

Factional battles and broken loyalties shake PDP

The former governor also weighed in on the political rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Fayose said he never anticipated that the relationship between the two, once seen as politically inseparable, would deteriorate so quickly.

“I never knew this thing would ever happen between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike,” Fayose stated. He recalled being present at Governor Fubara’s swearing-in ceremony, where he sat alongside Wike on the high table.

According to Fayose, he even advised Wike at the time to allow him speak with Fubara, urging the newly sworn-in governor not to betray his political benefactor. The breakdown of that relationship, he suggested, reflects the wider problem of trust and loyalty in Nigerian politics.

Beyond Rivers State, Fayose’s comments highlighted what he sees as a broader leadership failure within the PDP, where personal interests often override collective goals. He implied that these unresolved tensions have made it difficult for the party to present itself as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite his long-standing association with the PDP, Fayose reiterated that he has always been open about his political choices, including his controversial support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election.

“Everybody stands where they will be able to say the truth to Nigerians,” he said. Emphasizing his independence, Fayose noted that he is not contesting for any political office and has not sought favours from anyone.

He stressed that his backing of Tinubu was not done in secrecy. “Openly, I supported Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023, and I didn’t hide it. Till now, I am still there. I didn’t jump,” Fayose declared.

However, he was quick to clarify that his support for Tinubu does not mean defection to the APC. “I am not a member of the APC, and I will never be,” he said, reinforcing his claim of remaining ideologically separate despite his electoral stance.

Fayose’s latest intervention is expected to further stir conversations within the PDP, as party leaders grapple with questions of accountability, loyalty, and the path forward ahead of future elections.