Fayose Accuses Atiku, Tambuwal of Wrecking PDP as Party Struggles With Internal Crisis

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Aminu Tambuwal of taking decisions that, in his view, severely weakened the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pushed it to the brink of collapse after the 2023 general election. Fayose made the remarks during a televised interview, reflecting on the prolonged internal disputes that have continued to trouble Nigeria’s main opposition party.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Fayose said the choices made by key leaders before and after the party’s presidential primaries fractured the PDP and eroded internal trust. He also named the party’s former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, as part of the leadership whose actions deepened divisions and weakened the party’s cohesion.

Fayose Blames PDP Leadership Decisions for Party’s Decline

Fayose argued that the PDP’s problems stem largely from internal decisions taken ahead of the 2023 presidential election, particularly the process that produced Atiku as the party’s flagbearer. According to him, the political compromises and alignments that followed the primaries left many stakeholders alienated and dissatisfied.

“Atiku destroyed the PDP, Tambuwal destroyed the PDP, and Ayu destroyed it,” Fayose said during the interview, adding that politics, like life, is often unfair and unbalanced. His comments echoed long-standing grievances expressed by some party members who felt marginalised by the leadership’s handling of the primaries and subsequent power-sharing arrangements.

The former governor noted that the unresolved disputes, including disagreements over zoning and leadership positions, weakened the PDP’s ability to present a united front during the election and contributed to its electoral setbacks.

Support for Tinubu and Claims of Political Consistency

Despite being a long-time member of the PDP, Fayose defended his decision to support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 presidential election. He insisted that his stance was based on personal conviction rather than political ambition or the pursuit of favours.

Fayose maintained that he made his position clear from the beginning and did not act covertly. He stressed that he was not contesting any election and had not sought appointments or benefits from the ruling party as a result of his support.

“I openly supported Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023, and I didn’t hide it,” he said, while emphasising that his support did not translate into APC membership. According to him, loyalty to a party should not prevent individuals from speaking frankly about its shortcomings.

Rivers Crisis and Fayose’s Reflections on Wike–Fubara Rift

Fayose also commented on the political crisis in Rivers State, saying he never anticipated the fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He recalled being present at Fubara’s inauguration and advising caution to prevent a breakdown in their relationship.

The crisis in Rivers State has since deepened, marked by impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, by lawmakers aligned with Wike. The allegations include claims of gross misconduct, extra-budgetary spending, and defiance of legislative and judicial authority.

The dispute has drawn repeated intervention from President Bola Tinubu, including reconciliation efforts and, eventually, the declaration of a state of emergency in March 2025. The suspension of the state government and the appointment of a sole administrator underscored the severity of the crisis, which Fayose described as a cautionary example of political breakdown between former allies.