A former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday, said the protest that trailed the fuel subsidy removal during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 was due to political interests.

Fayemi said this in his keynote address delivered at a national dialogue organised to celebrate the 60th birthday celebration of the founding National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy and Fellow, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Professor Udenta Udenta in Abuja.

The programme was attended by Jonathan, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, among others.

Fayemi, who spoke in Osogbo while addressing delegates of the APC presidential primary at Osun Government House, said there was no war among aspirants, adding that all of them were qualified to vie for the post.

The Ekiti governor, who also said he had not come with any sense of entitlement, pleaded with the delegates to vote for him at the primary.

“Some people think there is a big battle going on within our folds, but it is not true. I told Asiwaju that I am coming here today. So people must not inherit an enemy that is not existing. What is important is the progress of our people. What is important is that the South-West must succeed. I want to assure you that there will be a collective resolve to the success of the South-West.

He said “This aspiration is a family business in the South-West. No quarrel in the family, no matter what happens as long as South-West wins, we are all victorious. We are sons and daughters of Oodua, and our values remain constant. We are leaders in the progressive movement, no one is not eminently qualified right from our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo or Senator Ibikunle Amosun, even Reverend Tunde Bakare. We are driven by the same beliefs, passion and commitment to improving the condition of our people, that is what is driving us. I have not come with any sense of entitlement. My friend, Governor Oyetola will not be happy if I did not come to Osun. I am unapologetically committed to the success of Oyetola. For me, coming here today, the party in Osun must be informed about my aspiration so as for me to seek your solidarity and support. It does not matter, if you don’t make me number one, make me number two. Politics can not separate us. It is just the interest of our people that matters”

In his remarks, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola lauded Fayemi for his support over the years, describing him as a brother for several years

According to Fayemi, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), restructuring remains the best option for Nigerians saying dialogue remains a major pathway to peace and progress.

Speaking as a guest lecturer at the combined ninth and 10th combined Zik Lecture Series at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Fayemi asked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu and Yoruba Nation led by Sunday Adeyemo to focus on restructuring.

He said, “If separation and secession are not as easy or simple as their proponents imagine, and given that they do not provide any guarantees that a better future can be secured through them, the demands for a national restructuring would seem to me to be worth keeping on the table for deeper consideration,”.