Isaac Fayose, businessman and younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has expressed deep frustration over what he described as a total lack of appreciation from the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Fayose revealed that despite using his personal funds, media platforms, and resources to aggressively campaign for Obi during the election cycle, the former Anambra State governor never extended a gesture of gratitude or acknowledged his sacrifices.
“I Donated My Hotel”
Fayose, who was a highly vocal supporter of the “Obidient” movement on social media, reminded critics that his backing went far beyond online commentary.
He recalled making significant material sacrifices for the campaign, including donating his entire hotel property in Ibadan, Oyo State, to serve as a functional base and campaign hub for Peter Obi’s support groups in the South-West region.
“I spent my hard-earned money, my time, and my energy campaigning for Peter Obi. I even donated my hotel in Ibadan for his campaign. But after everything, he never appreciated me. Not even a simple ‘thank you’ text message or a phone call to acknowledge what we did on the ground.” — Isaac Fayose
The U-Turn to Tinubu
The lack of post-election engagement has driven a wedge between Fayose and the Labour Party camp.
Following what he termed cold treatment from the Obi leadership, Fayose has since made a dramatic political shift, throwing his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
| Isaac Fayose’s Political Realignment | |
| 2023 Election Cycle | Strongly backed Peter Obi; financed grassroots South-West mobilizations and provided free real estate for campaign groups. |
| Post-Election Friction | Publicly criticized Obi’s political camp for failing to maintain relationships with frontline mobilizers and financiers. |
| Current Stance (2026) | Actively defends the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, urging Nigerians to exercise patience with the current government. |
“Politics is About Relationships”
Fayose argued that Obi’s inability to retain his core non-partisan mobilizers stems from an unyielding political style that fails to reward loyalty or cultivate long-term grassroots relationships.
He warned that while the Labour Party candidate commands an enthusiastic base of young voters on social media, maintaining a formidable national political structure requires actively valuing the individuals who commit their personal fortunes and businesses to the cause.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
