Former Ekiti State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Ayodele Fayose, has offered a scathing assessment of the condition of his party, declaring that it has lost internal cohesion and is struggling to remain politically relevant.
Fayose made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television aired on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, where he spoke candidly about the PDP’s leadership crisis, internal divisions, and the possible future movements of some of its key figures.
During the interview, Fayose argued that the PDP no longer functions as a united political platform, claiming that many influential members have quietly distanced themselves from the party’s internal structure.
According to him, the foundation of the party has been severely weakened, making it difficult for it to operate effectively as a major opposition force. He bluntly stated, “All of them have abandoned the PDP. You understand? You can’t build us on a faulty ground. You can’t build us on the swamp. The party is already a swamp.”
Fayose also questioned the credibility and influence of individuals he described as being vocal within the party.
He challenged such figures to demonstrate their relevance by fostering unity among elected officials under the PDP platform. In his words, “Those people that are making noise and running around, how many, let them call governor’s meeting.” He suggested that the inability to convene such meetings was a clear sign of the party’s fractured leadership.
The former governor went on to hint at internal developments he described as embarrassing and damaging to the party’s image.
While he declined to name those involved, Fayose insisted that the individuals concerned were fully aware of the issues he was referencing. “There are things that look like shame. I don’t want to mention names, but they know,” he said.
Addressing the broader public, Fayose made a bold claim about the future political direction of some PDP governors.
According to him, defections were imminent. He declared, “And I want to tell you again to this public, I want to say it to you, that Governor Makinde, Governor Bala, will go to ADC.” The statement immediately drew attention, given the strategic importance of both Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed within the party.
In response, the interviewer referenced previous remarks by Governor Makinde during a media chat, noting that the Oyo State governor had categorically ruled out leaving the PDP.
The interviewer recalled that Makinde had said his decision was based on personal principles and that he would also not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “He said categorically that on the basis of his own personal principles, he will not go to the PDP,” the interviewer said, while adding that Makinde had also dismissed any plans to join the APC.
Unmoved by this clarification, Fayose reiterated his earlier assertion. “I said he will go to ADC,” he responded, insisting that political realities often override publicly stated positions.
The interviewer pressed further, pointing out that Governor Makinde had consistently maintained that he would remain in the PDP and suggesting that some politicians should be guided by principle rather than expediency. “No, but he said categorically that he will remain in PDP. Because some people, on the basis of principle, should stand firm,” the interviewer said.
Fayose acknowledged the argument but dismissed it as insufficient given the PDP’s current condition. He described such reasoning as idealistic and detached from political realities. “That’s a gentleman’s talk,” he replied. “I agree with you, but let me, I’ll just ask you a question. Where is PDP now?”
His comments have since reignited debate about the future of the PDP, internal loyalty, and the likelihood of defections ahead of upcoming political contests, as party members and observers continue to assess whether the opposition can overcome its internal challenges.
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