​‘Power is Transient, Stop Playing Lord’ — Fayose Fires Warning Shot at Makinde During Ibadan Visit

​IBADAN – The political atmosphere in the South-West took a sharp, frosty turn on Tuesday as former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, issued a stern warning to the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, over his perceived handling of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the region.

​Speaking to journalists shortly after a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Fayose did not mince words, accusing the Oyo helmsman of adopting a “lordship” style of leadership that threatens the very foundation of the party. The former governor, known for his blunt political interventions, cautioned Makinde to “tread softly,” reminding him that the office of the governor is a temporary platform served at the pleasure of the party structure.

​”Everything in life is a matter of time,” Fayose declared, his tone heavy with experience. “You might have your time today and another person will have his time tomorrow. All I’m saying is that Governor Makinde should tread softly. You don’t have to be a governor and be a lord. You are a governor to serve the people.”

​The rift appears centered on the internal power struggle for the soul of the PDP in the South-West. Fayose expressed deep concerns that the current administration in Oyo is disregarding the established hierarchy of the party in favor of a “divide and rule” tactic, fueled by the vast resources of the state. He maintained that being a sitting governor does not grant an individual the right to dismantle the platform that brought them to power.

​Warning of the consequences of institutional arson within the party, Fayose asked rhetorically, “If you destroy the platform, what do you have left?” He further emphasized that leadership is defined by character and the ability to unify diverse interests rather than settling personal scores or attempting to prove one is the “ultimate” leader.

​Drawing from his two-term tenure as governor, Fayose noted that he has seen many “lords” of the State House come and go, yet the party remains. He urged Makinde to prioritize respect for elders and the existing structures of the PDP to avoid a total collapse of the party’s influence in the region.

​”I was governor here for eight years; I know how it works,” Fayose remarked. “You don’t just come and start lording it over everybody because you have the resources of the state. Power is transient. Use it for the good of all, not to settle scores. We all have our roles to play.”

​While Fayose maintained that his primary mission in the ancient city was to visit the Olubadan, the weight of his political broadside has sent ripples through the regional PDP, signaling a deepening crack in the party’s South-West leadership ahead of future electoral cycles. Governor Makinde has yet to issue an official response to these scathing remarks.