Fayose made the remark on Sunday after meeting with a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, behind closed doors.
Bala Mohammed is currently lobbying for the support of the leaders of the party to enable him emerge as the next substantive chairman of the party.
He visited Gov. Fayose in his Osuntokun Lodge in Ado Ekiti, in company with Liya Damagon and former Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, and later told journalists that he came on a private visit.
The former FCT minister said his coming was “just paying a private visit” to the Ekiti State governor and that he would not like to disclose the details of the meeting to the press.
However, he admitted that he had intentions to contest for the Chairmanship of the PDP, adding that his ambition was no longer secret.
According to Mr. Mohammed, his move was a sincere effort to contribute to the party and rebuild it ahead of 2019 general elections.
Mr. Fayose consequently gave his opinion on the jostle already ongoing among those aspiring for the position, rejecting any attempt to replace the present caretaker committee headed by Mr. Secondus in the immediate future.
He said Mr. Secondus should be allowed to pilot the affairs of the party for the next five months, to enable him conclude the on-going restructuring and reorganisation of the party.
“It is a normal thing to have ambition. It’s a good development but in my opinion, I think the party needs the caretaker committee now rather than a substantive chairman,” he said.
“Secondly, we need somebody who could take his time and use this interregnum and put the party into proper position. We do not need somebody who is trying to just finish the tenure of a former leader.”
He admitted that the party was undergoing a challenging period and would need the caretaker committee to run the party for a while and hold elections later for party executives.
“You would recall that I told Mu’azu that he had to go and he’s gone now. This time we must entrust the party into the hands of credible people who would not use it to redeem their name or for personal gains, Mr. Fayose further stated.
“So, to me, there isn’t much that a substantive chairman can do in just five months now.
“And I advise that everyone should go back to their base and do the needful at the grassroots. You can even be a leader without followership.”
Source: Bloom Gist, Premium Times
