By Ayodele Oni
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose, has replied his Deputy, Prof Olusola Eleka, who dropped his Senatorial ambition over an alleged sellout by his boss.
Fayose, in a letter, dated 21st May, copies of which were sent to the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), berated his former Deputy for speaking evil of his person, going by their past relations.
In the letter, the former Governor stated: “I read your outburst in your letter to the National Chairman of our party, the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, on the withdrawal of your Senatorial aspiration for Ekiti South.
“As my former Deputy and follower, a self-professed “Aremo Osoko,” even though I feel strongly that I should not join issues with you, it is important to set the records straight, especially on your use of words like deceitful and arrogant in addressing my person, which is highly regrettable.
“Most importantly, as a political follower and a Professor of repute, I feel you should not forget history that soon, by allowing yourself to be taken over by emotions such that you will speak ill of a man you once called your “greatest political leader.”
“Have you forgotten that you were in the classroom when I brought you to be my Deputy in 2014 without being part of my emergence as PDP candidate? This is aside the fact that you were unknown to anyone in the party then.
“Then, I was not deceitful and arrogant, but the best, if I may quote you rightly.
“Recall it was condition precedent that we will leave office together in 2018. Rather than leaving with you, I endorsed you as PDP Governorship candidate and by the grace of God, you emerged the candidate against all odds and interests.
“I became the enemy of those who were opposed to your emergence as candidate without being tagged as deceitful and arrogant.
“I also worked tirelessly for your election as Governor, and you know that you are not the governor of Ekiti State today, not because we lost the election. Then, I was to you, the greatest among leaders.
“Unfortunately in 2022, for reasons known to you, you missed the privilege of being endorsed as I did in 2018, part of what earned me your new title of deceitful and arrogant.
“I have become a man you openly disparage, forgetting that everyday is not Christmas.
“However, I consider this as prize for leadership. Nonetheless, all necessary lessons learnt.
“Interestingly, the public you intend to get their sympathy against me are no fools. They certainly have a sense of history.
“Eleka, as I always call you, I think it is time you do a soul searching and ask yourself what went wrong.
“Finally, let me state that my love for you goes beyond political followership and my doors shall remain open for you always. I wish you well.”
The Professor had last week, in a letter to Professor Ayu, withdrawn his aspiration to run for the Senate, saying that Fayose, who had earlier endorsed him, has set him up for defeat by endorsing somebody else behind his back.
