Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has been suspended by the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress for supposed “anti-party activities”. In a statement released by the party after the conduction of the September 23rd meeting, the party made a variation of allegations from suggestions that Fayemi hosted former Minister of Aviation and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Femi Fani-Kayode over a five-day span in the build-up to the recently concluded Edo state gubernatorial elections and thus, played a role in the loss of the party in the elections to his alleged funding of Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde in the Oyo gubernatorial elections last year.
Battle rages in @EkitiAPC as party suspends Ekiti State Executive Governor, Dr. @kfayemi, over alleged AntiParty Activities. pic.twitter.com/VBZ21jGUqE
— Babafemi Oretuyi (@Opetuyii) September 25, 2020
What is the significance?
Reading through the statement, reference is made to Fayemi’s alleged Aso Rock ambitions in 2023 with a point being raised about his alleged courting of Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike who over the course of the Buhari years has generally acted as the bulwark of the opposition. Reading between the lines, this could be interpreted as a part of the jostling that will increasingly become commonplace in the build-up to the 2023 elections with politicians who fall on the wrong side of the powers that be cut to size.
While Fayemi is yet to respond, this move could be viewed as significant as his influence as the Chairman of the influential Governor’s Forum could also lead to a rift. On the other hand, it could also serve as a catalyst for the opposition as it hints at division within the ruling party leaving them vulnerable to wider cracks appearing bringing to mind the APC’s acquisition of persecuted PDP members in the 2015 election which ultimately led to the ascension of President Buhari.