Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Ayodele Peter Fayose, has launched a scathing critique of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing his eight-year tenure as a setback and an error to Nigeria’s democratic process.
Fayose asserted that Obasanjo’s presidency was “a mistake and an aberration,” arguing that his leadership eroded democratic values and left behind a legacy of regret.
Recently appointed Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Fayose accused Obasanjo of consistently undermining individuals who demonstrated stronger leadership capacity. He alleged that Obasanjo attempted to diminish the influence of respected figures such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late MKO Abiola, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Fayose, while Obasanjo succeeded in frustrating some leaders, his efforts against Tinubu failed, adding that Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027 was “a certainty, with Nigerians across political, religious, and ethnic divides solidly behind him.”
Speaking to senior journalists at his Lagos residence on Saturday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain described Obasanjo as a “serial betrayer” who repaid those who supported his rise to power with hostility. Fayose claimed that Obasanjo turned against individuals who facilitated his release from prison and funded his return to politics, accusing him of being “toxic, bitter, and incapable of managing even his immediate family.”
Fayose’s remarks followed Obasanjo’s recent statement expressing regret over choosing Atiku Abubakar as his vice president. While clarifying that he does not support Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition, Fayose insisted Obasanjo had no moral authority to parade himself as a national conscience. He further alleged that the former president’s legacy project, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, was financed through coercion and questionable fundraising practices.
“I am not voting for Atiku, neither am I voting for Peter Obi. My support is for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I will not only vote but also mobilize support for him nationwide. Nigerians cannot follow leaders who lack dignity and integrity,” Fayose declared.
