Akeredolu Defends Fayemi’s Absence as S/West Govs Visit Tinubu

• Akeredolu said the Ekiti State Governor was with them at the Southwest Governors’ Forum meeting held earlier at Lagos House.
• Akeredolu said the visit was to show their love for the former Lagos State Governor

Ekohotblog reports that Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, explained on Wednesday why Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi was absent during the forum’s visit to former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Akeredolu, his Ekiti State counterpart was forced to miss the meeting owing to a pressing schedule.

After his return from the United Kingdom, Akeredolu led his South West colleagues on a courtesy visit to Tinubu at his Bourdillon, Ikoyi mansion in Lagos State, on Tuesday.

Following the reactions trailing the absence of Fayemi who was said to be eyeing the presidential ticket of the APC ahead of 2023, Akeredolu said the Ekiti State Governor was with them at the Southwest Governors’ Forum meeting held earlier at Lagos House, Marina, but had to leave to catch a late flight to Port Harcourt where he was a guest speaker at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Annual General Conference dinner.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde, noted that Akeredolu’s clarification on Fayemi’s absence during the visit became necessary due to various insinuations and reactions in the media.

“Governor Fayemi was with us at the Southwest Governors’ Forum meeting held earlier at the Lagos House in Marina. He had to leave to catch a late flight to Portharcourt where he was billed to attend the NBA Conference dinner.

“He sent his apology to Asiwaju as well as his good wishes. The rest of us who visited Asiwaju’s residence tendered same and extended Fayemi’s good wishes,” he said.

Akeredolu said the visit was to show their love for the former Lagos State Governor and wish him well after his return to the country.