Former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has come under scrutiny from the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretary, Ajibola Basiru, for comments deemed damaging to the party's image. During an interview on State Affairs with Edmund Obilo, Fayemi criticized the ruling party, stating it had deviated from the principles of its founding fathers, was losing internal debate, and lacked ideological direction. He specifically warned that the increasing reliance on endorsements and consensus arrangements could spark internal conflicts ahead of future elections, lamenting, "This is not where the party has come from. We have lost our bearing and the vision of the founding fathers of this party." Fayemi also expressed concern over politicians' growing tendency to seek favors directly from the presidency, suggesting such a culture could lead to dissatisfaction and an eventual "implosion" within the party.

In response, Basiru vehemently dismissed Fayemi's criticisms, suggesting that if the former governor no longer believed in the APC, he should consider leaving. Basiru told Punch, "We urge him that since he so much despises the party and wishes the party an implosion, he should go to where whatever he thinks his best ideas can be ventilated." He warned that the APC would not tolerate comments or actions perceived as detrimental to its interests, stating, "If he does not join another party, the APC will not hesitate to invoke disciplinary actions to sanction him for anti-party activities."

Basiru further linked Fayemi's remarks to ongoing political realignments in anticipation of the 2027 elections. He alleged that Fayemi had been "hobnobbing with opposition elements," citing previous statements by Rotimi Amaechi and suggesting these activities were particularly evident ahead of the Ekiti governorship election. Basiru concluded that Fayemi's comments, strategically timed before the Ekiti primaries, appeared to be a deliberate attempt to "demarket the party" politically.

Contrasting with his internal party criticisms, Fayemi recently revealed his role in facilitating a notable moment of political courtesy between Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and President Bola Tinubu. This interaction occurred during the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City last May. The encounter initially gained public attention when presidential aide Bayo Onanuga shared photographs on social media, indicating that Fayemi had spotted President Tinubu among world leaders and encouraged Obi to join him in greeting the Nigerian head of state.

Fayemi's account, provided in an interview on Edmund Obilo’s YouTube channel, largely corroborates Onanuga’s version but adds a crucial detail: Obi's initial hesitation. Obi reportedly expressed concerns that the handshake could be misrepresented by the media. Fayemi explained that both he and Obi, being Catholics, had attended the papal inauguration and even shared breakfast with Cardinal Lazarus that morning. They were seated four rows behind the president at the ceremony, having arrived before Tinubu and his delegation.

The opportunity for the handshake arose when Bianca Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the presidential delegation, walked over to greet Fayemi and Obi. Fayemi seized this moment, suggesting to Obi that they reciprocate the courtesy, regardless of their political affiliations, as Tinubu was their president. Despite Obi's concerns about potential media misuse, Fayemi urged him to consider the gesture as an extension of respect to the Nigerian leader on an international stage, emphasizing their shared Nigerian identity and the president's role in honoring the nation at the Vatican, even as a Muslim.

Obi ultimately agreed, and the two men approached the president. Fayemi recalled greeting Tinubu warmly, who responded with his characteristic wit, playfully remarking that he should be the one welcoming them as the leader of the Nigerian delegation. Obi then acknowledged, "Yes sir, you are our leader. So thank you for coming to Rome to honour us even though we are not part of your delegation, but you are our leader." The brief, light-hearted exchange concluded, with both parties continuing their separate engagements. When asked if this was their first handshake since the 2023 election, Fayemi cautiously stated he wouldn't know, but confirmed they shook hands there.