Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for surpassing expectations and proving skeptics wrong with his impressive performance in office.
Fayose, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described Sanwo-Olu as a “different breed of politician.”
Speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Ikeja GRA network of roads, Fayose, who resides in the area, commended Sanwo-Olu for transforming Ikeja GRA to rival the upscale Ikoyi district.
“This place is now our own Ikoyi…You and your deputy have turned GRA to Ikoyi GRA,” Fayose said.
Despite his PDP affiliation, Fayose also expressed willingness to support good governance regardless of party lines, citing his intention to back Ekiti State governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for reelection in 2026.
Fayose said, “I am one Nigerian who will not say what I don’t mean even if they will kill me. I will say it. I am not a member of APC, let me put that on record again. I am not a member of APC and I will never be a member but I will not shy away from the fact that what is good is good.
“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. All the bookmakers, you have proved us wrong that it is not the colour of the pack but what is right inside that thing. You are a different breed of politician.
“You brought everybody together like my governor in Ekiti, Oyebanji, brought everybody together. I always tell people who care to listen, I am a PDP member but I will support Oyebanji in the next election. It is not about politics, it is who Oyebanji is.”
In response, Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged to extend infrastructural development to all 20 local government areas of Lagos State, ensuring no community is left behind.
“No part of the state will be left untouched or behind,” the Lagos State Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu’s rise to power was marked by a challenging 2019 primary contest against then-governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
With the backing of political heavyweight and current Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu secured the APC ticket, won the gubernatorial election, and was reelected in 2023.