Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has disclosed that he rejected repeated invitations from former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite sustained efforts by the party’s leadership to persuade him.
Fayose made the revelation while speaking to journalists on Tuesday, where he reflected on his political career, his relationship with the APC leadership, and his support for the administration of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
According to the former governor, Tinubu invited him to join the APC about five years ago when former Governor Kayode Fayemi was preparing to return to office, but he declined the offer. He added that Buhari also made a similar request during his presidency, which he equally rejected.
Fayose said he was later taken to the office of the then APC National Chairman, where party leaders made further attempts to convince him to defect, but he remained firm in his decision.
He recalled that he was assured political control of Ekiti State would be handed to him if he joined the ruling party, but insisted that such promises did not influence his decision.
Speaking on his time as governor, Fayose described his administration as one marked by political tension and conflict, saying he never enjoyed peace throughout his tenure.
He admitted he was deeply disappointed after losing political control of the state following his exit from office and revealed that the political struggle left him with a spine injury that still affects him.
Despite the difficult experiences, Fayose said his outlook has changed over time, noting that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s emergence has brought positive leadership to Ekiti State.
He praised Oyebanji’s administration, describing it as a blessing for the state and expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership.
