Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, who is meant to belong to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), met President Bola Tinubu yesterday, and appeared to be positioning himself slyly but shamelessly in case the president pushes some “democracy dividend” in his direction.
Without being prompted about a possible presidential appointment, Fayose went on the defensive by claiming he is not “desperate for appointment”. As journalist Claud Cockburn said, “never believe anything until it has been officially denied”.
Watch his laughable encounter with the media after visiting the president below:
What Fayose was doing here is what Nigerians would call “where belle face”. His stomach is facing in the direction of the largesse available for Tinubu to distribute. Fayose also faces 6.9bn naira (£6.9m) money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegedly committed when he was governor. During trial in 2019, he claimed illness and the trial was adjourned so he could travel abroad for treatment.
The case has stalled since. So even if Tinubu doesn’t find a place in his government for Fayose, the former governor managing to avoid a place in prison may be some reward for buttering up to the president. If his timely “illness” a few years ago is anything to go by, his claims now about he and Tinubu wanting the best for the country should be filed under “self preservation/selfish interest”.
