Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has praised President Bola Tinubu for his “magnanimous” conduct during the August 15 Osun State governorship election. Speaking on TVC News, Fayose noted that the Federal Government could have easily influenced the outcome if it had chosen to, but did not.
Drawing a sharp contrast, Fayose alleged that the Federal Government used its influence to take Ekiti State from him during the 2018 governorship election. He detailed that three days before the 2018 poll, the Government House was “jammed,” communication was blocked, and his security details were withdrawn to the police headquarters, leaving him isolated. Fayose further claimed he was physically assaulted by security personnel with the butt of a gun when he attempted to leave, an incident that reportedly led to four surgical procedures.
Fayose said the oppressive tactics of 2018 were absent in Osun, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke secured victory with 511,067 votes against APC’s Bola Oyebamiji. He commended Tinubu for showing that free elections are possible, contrasting the President’s approach with the experience under the previous administration.