Peoples Democratic Party has said that the Punch front page advertorial placed by Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose does not represent the opinion of President Goodluck Jonathan and the party.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaigns, Chief Femi Fani Kayode told journalists that the advert represents Fayose’s opinion which he is entitled to.
Fani-Kayode said “Fayose is a distinguish leader of our party. A democratically-elected governor and someone we have immense respect and affection for and he released this advert in his own name.
“That represents his own personal opinion which he is entitled to, that is what I can tell you on our part as the presidential campaign organisation. It does not represent the opinion of the presidential campaign organisation or indeed the president; it is his opinion which he is entitled to.
“I have spoken with him and we respect him but for any body to suggest that this is the position of the presidential campaign organisation or President Goodluck Jonathan, that will be most unfair. If we wanted to say something like that we will say it without any kind of apology but of course… we will never say that because we believe in the sanctity of life and age is not a function of how long you will live.”
He also added that the party doesn’t not wish Presidential Candidate of the PDP ill, he said “We believe strongly that we must continue to show immense respect to the person of Buhari in terms of his person and health, though we believe it is important to always raise question about facts, you know what these questions are and we will continue to raise them.
“We do not wish him ill, we do not wish him dead, we wish him long life and we believe strongly that such sentiments can be aired by individuals certainly not in our name.
“Fayose never said that he was speaking on behalf of President Jonathan but for his own self and he said he issued it in his name. And I have emphasised that that is his opinion and he is entitled to it.
“I could only disown if a statement was purportedly made on our behalf and in fairness to him, he never said that, what is important is to emphasise the fact that his position does not represent our position on this. He is entitled to that position.”
Asked whether the party will fine Fayose for such statements, Fani-Kayode replied “We may express our concerns privately. We will not do that publicly with a senior member of our party who is a loyal and steadfast supporter of President Jonathan. We cannot be held responsible for the words of others.”