Ayo Fayose, born Peter Ayodele Fayose on November 15, 1960, is a prominent Nigerian politician who has had a significant impact on Ekiti State and national politics. Here are the key details about his life and career:

Ayo Fayose spent his formative years in Oyo State and attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. He pursued a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Biological Sciences/Applied Medical Biology at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, graduating in 1987. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program at Pepsi Nigeria Limited, Ibadan, he gained experience working with medical and laboratory equipment.

Fayose's political career soared when he became the second governor of Ekiti State on May 29, 2003, after defeating the incumbent Governor, Niyi Adebayo. His tenure was interrupted by impeachment on October 16, 2006, but he later returned to win the 2014 Ekiti State gubernatorial election as the PDP nominee, thus serving a second term as governor. Fayose is noted for being the only Nigerian politician to defeat an incumbent governor twice.

In preparation for the 2019 Nigerian general election, Fayose declared his intention to run for president under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite his initial enthusiasm, the PDP leadership advised against his presidential ambition, leading him to later drop out of the race.

Throughout his career, Fayose has been embroiled in various controversies. One notable incident involved an army intelligence officer, Captain Sagir Koli, who secretly recorded a vote-rigging plan implicating Fayose and other politicians during the 2014 Ekiti State election. This audio recording exposed allegations of election fraud and stirred significant public and political debate.

Ayo Fayose remains a prominent and polarizing figure in Nigerian politics, known for his bold leadership style, outspokenness, and ability to mobilize support among his political base in Ekiti State and beyond. His tenure as governor and subsequent political activities have left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Nigeria.

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