It came as a huge shock to everyone. Not many believed that they could see what they saw in years to come. But it is true. It actually happened. Governor Kayode Fayemi and his predecessor, Fayose, have finally ended their 8-year rift.
For over 8 years, these 2 political juggernauts from Ekiti were thorns in each other’s flesh. They tore at each other’s throats and swore to remain enemies for life. Even their supporters were not left out of the bitter rivalry. Whenever they met at any political gatherings, supporters of both personalities representing the APC and PDP would trade words which oftentimes resulted in messy clashes between the two parties.
Both Dr. Ayodele Fayose and the incumbent Governor, Kayode Fayemi share quite a bit of friendship. Their political rivalry started in 2010 after Fayemi won his case and the then Governor Oni was sacked by the court. Many do not know that Fayose played a prominent role in ensuring Fayemi reclaimed his mandate from the then Governor Oni. But, surprisingly, just a few months after, there was a crisis between the two friends as Fayose was denied Ekiti Central Senatorial ticket and even when he contested under the platform of Labour Party, he lost the seat to Senator Ojudu of APC and this deepened their political fight. And in 2014, they both contested against each other and Gov. Fayose won the election. In 2018, Gov. Fayemi defeated Fayose’s candidate to return to Oke Ayoba house in Ekiti State.
Though there have been different political activities going on between then but on 16th November the social media and the political circle were taken by surprise when Gov. Kayode Fayemi ended his rift with his predecessor Gov. Fayose as he graced his son’s wedding in Lagos. His appearance at the wedding took everyone by surprise because that day was very important not just to him (Fayose) but to his political party.
It was that same day Kogi and Bayelsa States held their gubernatorial elections and everyone knew the role of Gov. Bello of Kogi State played during Fayemi’s reelection in 2018. Though Fayemi was present at Bello’s campaign and the expectation is that he would have given him the necessary support but his presence during the election would have spoken more volume being the Chairman Governor’s Forum.
On the same day, Gov. Fayemi’s wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi was honoured in her native home, Ilaramokin as the Oluomo of Ilara Mokin, yet the Governor was absent. As a matter of fact, it was believed that If these 3 events were optional many concluded that Governor Fayemi will attend either the Kogi election or his wife’s event. But rather surprisingly the Governor chose to honour his predecessor. Gov. Fayemi’s appearances at Fayose’s son’s wedding came 10 days after Senator Dayo Adeyeye was sacked by the appeal court.
Though some see it as a large heart, and mature politics as they hope for peaceful collaboration in the state, while some see it as a soft landing for both parties ahead of the 2022 Ekiti governorship election. But whichever way, the fact remains that Gov. Fayemi and ex-Gov. Fayose have ended their 8 years rift.
