- What The FCT Minister Said About FAYOSE
Penultimate Saturday, many political, social, and entertainment elites gathered in Lagos to celebrate with former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose as he marked his 65th birthday with a lavish celebration at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Lagos State. The festivities began on Friday with a Thanksgiving service featuring praise, vibrant dances, and prayers. The atmosphere was joyful and elegant, while the venue was adorned with gold lights, chandeliers, fresh flowers, and stylish décor.
The black-and-white themed praise party added a touch of sophistication befitting the former governor’s charismatic personality. Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had celebrated Fayose, praising his courage despite political turbulence. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also joined other political heavyweights in honouring the milestone.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike described Fayose as “a valuable friend and brother, who will never pretend about where he stands on issues.” Those who are familiar with both Fayose and Wike should know very well that they are very close friends. They not only belong to same party, they often share same ideologies and standpoints on critical issues. And in their various political journeys, they have both been very supportive of each other. They stand by each other through thick and thin.
When the former Ekiti governor had problems with EFCC sometime ago, Wike stood by him like the rock of Gibraltar. He never left Fayose’s side for a moment. And when Wike had his issues with the PDP leadership as a result of the fall out of the PDP national convention in which Abubakar Atiku emerged the winner and then failed to make Wike his running mate even after a committee had picked him as the suitable running mate to Atiku, Fayose stood by Wike. He has been by his side since the last couple of years as he continues to fight for control of the party.
At Fayose’s 65th birthday ceremony, Nyesom Wike was one of the few personalities that had the privilege to pay tribute to the celebrant. In his speech, he shed light on the deep bond that exists between him and his friend, Fayose. Below is the full text of his speech:
“There are those who were born today but they died. There are those whose parents sent to school, they graduate with First Class and as they are coming out that day, they died. But God in His infinite wisdom has granted you the grace to be here to celebrate this day and say thank you with your people. They have come to felicitate with you.
I have known Ayo Fayose for some time when he was running for governor of Ekiti state. I was a local government chairman then. He used to tell me that when they come to Rivers state, he comes as a governor while those of us who are Chairmen will come and receive him. I said yes, that was then, but you will remember that now, I am the Minister of the Federal Capital territory.
I’ve had tough times with him, I’ve had good times with him. But one thing you can take home is that, he is a man you can depend on. He’s a man you can deal with and go and sleep with your two eyes closed. It’s difficult in this country, most people don’t like those who are straight forward. They don’t want people who will tell you this is black and this is white.
I remember sometimes when we had a problem, it was supposed the election of the zonal chairman of south west, he was on one side, I was on one side. In fact, that time I was working with Seyi Makinde and he was working with the other faction. So, on national televisio, in fact, o be precise, Channels, he said he won’t call names, I know it’s my friend who is doing all these things. Then, after the interview I called him, I said, oh, boy, I heard you o, I will reply. He said, no, don’t reply, we have made up.
He doesn’t carry anything in his mind, whatever he does not like, Ayo will say it. And after that time, it’s the end. And these are people that should be commended. Look at Governor Oyebanji, he’s not in his party, but because he believes the young man is doing well, and at his age he cannot say because he belongs to another party he will now say that the man is not doing well. That is leadership. He has never told me anything and he will not do it, it doesn’t matter who is involved.
And let me commend your wife. You know people say monkey dey jump, monkey dey jump, na where tree near tree. Ayo is great, Ayo is good, there’s a pillar behind him. How did I know about the wife? There was a problem sometime ago and she was the one who called me, she said you know, this is your brother….she’s very good in prayer, unlike Fayose. I don’t even know whether he prays. But she’s very good in prayers, always upholding the husband in prayers.
The day he was going to EFCC, I was with him in the night, he came to see me. He said look, we’re going to EFCC tomorrow,, I said okay, stay in the guest house here, I will take you to EFCC, nothing will happen. But when I came back, I said, ah, we’re going to EFCC tomorrow, what are you doing? He said, oh, boy, I don’t know whether if I go I will come back or I no go come back, the one wey I dey here, make I enjoy my life today. So, I took him to EFCC the next day.
Like I said, he’s a good friend. He will stand with you when you have problem. He’s not a friend who, today, forgets what you have done yesterday. He’s not a friend who, tomorrow, will say a different thing. He’s not that kind of person. He will come to you and say, ‘my brother, you know you’re my friend, but this one you’re doing, I’m not in support of it.’ Unlike today, what we see is, somebody will tell you you’re a great friend last night, tomorrow morning, you’re no longer a great friend. Ayo, God will continue to give you long life. I pray you surpass my age in life, I pray. That’s my prayer as a senior brother to a younger brother. I love you and I love your family. You have been there for me when it mattered most. Thank you and God bless you.”
