How Buhari Saved Fmr. Ekiti State Governor, Fayose, From Disgrace – Presidential Spokesman

By Ayodele Oni

It has been revealed that former Governor Ayo Fayose’s Media campaigns against President Mohammadu Buhari while in office as Ekiti state helmsman almost caused him his office but for Buhari.

It would have caused him a second disgrace out of office no thanks to some people in the Presidency who were livid over what they termed Fayose’s irresponsible criticisms of the President.

While serving his second term as Governor of Ekiti state, Fayose was in the forefront of attacks on Buhari, while he was away due to health challenges.

The former Ekiti Governor insisted then Buhari was dead in United Kingdom, (UK) and that there was a sort of cover up to hide the facts about his state of health.

Even on his return to the country, Fayose claimed that he had video clips to show Nigerians that Buhari was dead and cloned, saying one Jubrin of Sudan is president.

The Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, in his birthday message to President Buhari on his 80th birthday, revealed that the presidency was uncomfortable with Fayose’s barrage of media attacks on the President.

He, however, said President Muhammad Buhari did not approve the impeachment of the former Ekiti State Governor, from office when he had the power and opportunity to do so.

The President’s Adviser said it is because Buhari has “no malicious bone in his body,” that was why he did not effect Fayose’s impeachment through the Ekiti State House of Assembly, which at the time was largely dominated by members of the All Progressives Congress.

In the article titled ‘Buhari at 80: No Malicious Bone In His Body’, Adesina recalled how Fayose had tackled Buhari in the build up to the 2014 elections and how he had said the president, if elected back then, would not survive his tenure in office.

He said Buhari could have retaliated when he assumed office and could have further ordered the Inspector General of Police to lock down the Ekiti State Assembly, but stated that the President chose peace instead.

He also recalled that instead of violence, Buhari gave Fayose a warm handshake during a Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa.

Adesina wrote, “How about Ayo Fayose, the Irunmole that eats Jollof rice. The former Ekiti State Governor had taken a stand against Buhari since 2014, during the campaigns.

“There was that infamous advertisement he placed in newspapers, displaying a coffin, and insinuating that if Buhari was elected, he would not last the distance.

“Fayose’s party was beaten black and blue, and entered President Buhari. What would an average, vengeful person have done, if he were in the mould of the man with the teacup and saucer?

“When Buhari came, the Ekiti House of Assembly was largely populated by APC members, whom Fayose had inherited. What to do?

“Just give a directive: remove that Governor within a week, and he directs the Inspector General of Police to lock down the Assembly chamber. But not Buhari. Why? Because he has no malicious bone in his body.”

Recall that during the PDP Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Fayose, a PDP Governor, was impeached from office.