The Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development on Sunday said he would never abuse or disrespect former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu, because the politician remained a leader he would continue to hold in high esteem.

“Dr. Fayemi subscribes to the highest moral and ethical standard of the Yoruba and as such would not speak evil or seek to demean Asiwaju Tinubu or any of our respected leaders under no circumstance whatsoever,” the minister said via a statement by his special assistant on media, Olayinka Oyebode.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Fayemi has always held and will continue to hold Asiwaju Tinubu in high esteem.

“The bond that exists between them dates back to decades of cordial relationship and no peddler of falsehood or group of blackmailers hiding under the guise of politics can put asunder.”

The minister was reacting to a false report on a website, with headline : “Tinubu as a leader is responsible for his misfortunes, says Fayemi.”
“The highly mischievous and malicious report is nothing but a tissue of lies,” Mr. Fayemi said in his statement, sent to PREMIUM TIMES Sunday.

“It must be stressed that Dr. Kayode Fayemi never granted any interview where he made disparaging comments about the person of our highly revered leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”
There are widespread speculations in Nigeria that Messrs Tinubu and Fayemi belonged to different camps in the governing All Progressives Congress.

Mr. Fayemi was a protege of the former Lagos governor, but the two fell apart after the last governorship election in Ekiti State, which the minister, then an incumbent, lost.

The real reason for the collapse of the cordial relationship between the two politicians remained unclear.

But there are suggestions that Mr. Tinubu accused Mr. Fayemi of disloyalty.

On his part, Mr. Fayemi was said to have become angry with Mr. Tinubu for not supporting him enough in the governorship election he lost to Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party.