Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of plotting to become the running mate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Fayose made the allegation on Wednesday while reacting to a meeting held on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, between Atiku, Makinde and former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
According to Fayose, the meeting was strategically arranged to advance political negotiations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is no longer news that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, went to Minna, Niger State, yesterday to hold a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,” Fayose said in a statement.
“Here is what happened behind the curtains. Venue and personalities involved in the meeting were carefully chosen so as to ensure confidence and acceptability.”
Fayose claimed that discussions at the meeting centred on Atiku’s alleged plan to secure the ADC presidential ticket and Makinde’s interest in becoming his vice-presidential candidate.
He further alleged that consideration was given to the possibility that Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, may not accept to serve as Atiku’s running mate and may also not be acceptable to the North as Atiku’s successor.
According to Fayose, Atiku is “70 per cent certain” of clinching the ADC presidential ticket, having ensured that the party’s ticket would not be zoned.
The former Ekiti governor alleged that Makinde agreed to join the ADC on the condition that he would be handed the party’s vice-presidential ticket as Atiku’s running mate, subject to ratification by Atiku’s inner caucus.
Fayose also claimed that Makinde pledged to release N10 billion in two tranches as an initial contribution to support the ADC’s activities, with a promise of additional funding when campaigns commence.
He further alleged that Makinde assured Atiku of his ability to deliver Southwest delegates during the party’s primary and to leverage his wife’s Rivers State roots to secure delegate votes from the South-South region.
“For the general election, using him to divide the Southwest votes will give the ADC the needed advantage,” Fayose quoted Makinde as saying.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Makinde nor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had publicly responded to the allegations…
