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Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State says the strength of any true democracy lies in the existence of a viable opposition.
He has therefore vowed that he would not defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unless the party ceases to exist.
Governor Fayose made the remarks when he visited his Osun State counterpart, Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the government house in Osogbo, the state capital.
It was the first time the Ekiti State Governor would pay a visit to his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola.
Being his first official visit to an APC governor, Governor Fayose arrived with an impressive entourage as he exchanged pleasantries with all.
While reiterating his resolve to remain in the PDP, the Governor said, “I remain in PDP to play the opposition role.
“In all of this, there must be fairness. There must be equity and the rule of law must be followed. We should remember that power as it was transient for the PDP, it can also be transient for the party in power now.
“For me, I don’t want to contest which party is dead now or which one is alive. Whether or not PDP is dead, time will tell.
“Opposition is the major ingredient of democracy and without opposition in a democracy, there will be dictatorship. Those promoting dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomach of the dictator.”
Although Aregbesola shared the views expressed by the Ekiti Governor, he expressed his desire to see him purse his political ideology in a progressive party instead of the PDP.
Fayose maintained that he was on the visit particularly because of his concern for the unity of the Yoruba race, an issue Governor Aregbesola agreed needed attention.
“I was moved by the historic visit of the Ooni of Ife to the Alaafin of Oyo and I am of the opinion that the Yoruba leaders must unite.
“The Yoruba nation must not be rubbished. Our leaders must not be rubbished irrespective of the political they belong to.
“I believe in the Yoruba race, the race comes first before the office of the governor. The race is eternal while that of governor is momentary. We must watch today to be guided by tomorrow. I am here for the unity of Yoruba as it affects the Oodua, the progenitor,” Fayose emphasised.
Demonstration of Maturity
In his response, Governor Aregbesola described the visit of Governor Fayose to Osun as demonstration of maturity.
He said, “Osoko has said that he is not going to leave his party, but I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted its stay in Nigeria, it can no longer be revived, let us look at a political party that will give hope to our people.
“Opposition must be for a purpose, I stand by you on the unity of Yoruba land.”
He assured Fayose that he would stand by him in his effort to galvanise the people of the South-West for accelerated development.
As Governor Fayose prepared to leave, he told journalists that the story of his son’s arrest in Dubai was untrue.
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