With tail between his legs, former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti, Dr. Temitope Aluko, who alleged that Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti was rigged into office, has publicly swallowed his words.
Aluko had confessed on live TV that former President Goodluck Jonathan allegedly approved $37m to buy Fayose’s victory at the June 21, 2014 gubernatorial election.
But in a video which went viral on Monday, a subdued Aluko was seen standing next to Fayose after a meeting which purportedly took place in the governor’s Lagos home.
Addressing journalists, Fayose said, “I am his father, I am his brother, whatever the past has held for all of us, I am still his father.”
Asked if he has forgiven Aluko, Fayose said, “Whether you are talking of forgiveness, Aluko remains my son, my boy… whatever he has said, it is time to move forward.”
Aluko also told journalists that all was well between the two of them now.
“This is about peace, this is about misunderstanding, this is about talking together, this is about family coming in, this is about well-meaning Nigerians coming in and that’s what we have achieved,” he said.
Aluko was last year been suspended by the Ekiti PDP for anti-party activities.
After the suspension, Aluko had gone ahead to testify against Fayose at the panel set up by military authorities to probe allegations of rigging of the governorship election.
Some military personnel had been indicted in an audio recording for their sinister roles in the election alongside some political appointees.
Aluko had equally said all his earlier pronouncements that the election was free and fair were not so.
In reaction to the development, Fayose also carpeted Aluko, saying his position was as a result of Aluko’s failure to secure a lofty position in his government.
The Ekiti State Government had then gone ahead to file a case of perjury against Aluko.
It is widely believed that the cause of Aluko’s grouse was Fayose’s failure to appoint him chief of staff.
The repentant politician, however, told journalist in the video that his reconciliation with Fayose was not about position.
