Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has delivered a surprising endorsement of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s performance, admitting that the APC governor has defied initial skepticism about his leadership capabilities. The candid acknowledgment came during Wednesday’s commissioning of the Ikeja GRA Network of Roads in Lagos.
Fayose, a prominent PDP chieftain and Ikeja GRA resident, particularly praised the transformation of his neighborhood to rival Lagos’s elite Ikoyi district. “This place is now our own Ikoyi…You and your deputy have turned GRA to Ikoyi GRA,” the former governor remarked, highlighting the visible infrastructure improvements under Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Speaking with characteristic frankness, Fayose reflected on the doubts that surrounded Sanwo-Olu’s nomination six years ago. When the news of your nomination came about six years ago, (there were) so many reservations but you have proved the bookmakers wrong including myself,” he admitted, emphasizing that leadership quality transcends party affiliation.
The former governor’s praise gains particular significance given his steadfast PDP membership and his reputation for outspoken political commentary. While firmly restating his opposition party status, declaring he would “never be a member” of the APC, Fayose insisted on acknowledging effective governance regardless of party lines.
Sanwo-Olu’s path to leadership faced significant challenges, including a contentious primary battle with then-incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2019. Despite Ambode’s popular infrastructure projects, Sanwo-Olu, backed by current President Bola Tinubu, secured both the party nomination and subsequent electoral victories in 2019 and 2023.
Responding to the praise, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his commitment to equitable development across Lagos’s twenty local government areas, promising that “no part of the state will be left untouched or behind.” This pledge suggests a continuation of the infrastructure-focused governance strategy that has earned him cross-party approval.
Fayose’s comments extended beyond Lagos, as he also expressed support for APC Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, suggesting a growing trend of performance-based political assessment over strict party loyalty. I am a PDP member but I will support Oyebanji in the next election. It is not about politics, it is who Oyebanji is,” he stated.
The former governor’s willingness to praise political opponents reflects a potential shift in Nigerian political discourse, where governance outcomes might increasingly outweigh party affiliations in public assessments. His description of Sanwo-Olu as “a different breed of politician” suggests recognition of leadership styles that prioritize development over political divisions.
This cross-party acknowledgment of Sanwo-Olu’s achievements comes at a significant moment in Lagos’s development, as the state continues its evolution as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse. The praise from a prominent opposition figure may help reinforce the governor’s mandate for continued infrastructure development and urban renewal projects.
Fayose’s candid assessment, delivered with his characteristic “say what I don’t mean even if they will kill me” style, adds credibility to Sanwo-Olu’s governance record and might influence public perception of political performance evaluation beyond party lines.
