Fayose says he may quit PDP because his candidate Tambuwal lost out on presidential ticket

OUTGOING Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has revealed that the reason why he is considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is because he is not happy with the way Aminu Tambuwal did not win its presidential ticket.

Over the weekend, after a tight contest, Alhaji Abubakar emerged as the PDP presidential candidate with 1,532 votes beating off a challenges from 11 other candidates. Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal came second with 693 votes, while senate president Senator Bukola Saraki emerged third with 317 votes, former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso came fourth with 158 votes, while Gombe State governor Hassan Dankwambo came fifth with 111 votes.

Governor Fayose and the Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike who hosted the congress, had backed Governor Tambuwal and were disappointed with the poor showing of their candidate. On October 15, Governor Fayose is due to leave office at the end of his tenure, amid indications that he may be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the immunity he enjoys from prosecution expires.

Waiting for him with the bated breath, the EFCC has already said it will re-open a case involving a 1.3bn poultry project he commissioned during his first term that lasted between 2003 and 2006. Aware of the fact that he is being sought, Governor Fayose took the initiative by volunteering to visit the EFCC offices rather than wait to be arrested, promising to visit the commission's offices on October 16.

In response to claims that he might switch his allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid prosecution, the governor said he was in the PDP and would remain there not minding any form of intimidation. He added he was not among those who were afraid to face tomorrow.

However, yesterday, Governor Fayose said that he was reconsidering his membership of the PDP because of Governor Tambuwal’s loss. He pointed out that he would spend the next few days consulting with his supporters before deciding on his next course of action.

Governor Fayose said: “We have no regret aligning with Governor Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket.  We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies, we never compromised but if any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go

“I may renounce my membership of the party, if the need arises. In the meantime, myself and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of events."

In the past, many PDP politicians being prosecuted by the EFCC have defected to the APC and consequently had their cases dropped. Among them are former defence minister Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and ex-Akwa Ibom State governor Senator Godswill Akpabio but it is not yet clear if Governor Fayose will pursue this course of action.