NEWS
FAYOSE ALLEGES SECRET MINNA DEAL: CLAIMS MAKINDE SET TO DUMP PDP FOR ADC, SEEKS VICE-PRESIDENTIAL SLOT WITH ATIKU AHEAD OF 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
…as Gov. Makinde Pledges ₦10billion
Former Ekiti State Governor, Peter Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has agreed to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the condition that he would emerge as the party’s vice-presidential candidate for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general elections.
Fayose made the revelation in a statement titled, “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, setting off fresh political ripples within the opposition landscape.
According to him, Governor Makinde met with Atiku in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday in what he described as a carefully arranged meeting with selected personalities to ensure “confidence and acceptability.”
“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 wrote.
“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 considered the possibility that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might neither accept a vice-presidential slot nor be widely acceptable in the North as Atiku’s political successor.
“Consideration was given to the fact that Peter Obi will not accept to be Atiku’s running mate and he won’t also be acceptable to the North, as Atiku’s successor,” he stated.
He further alleged that Atiku is “70 per cent certain” of clinching the ADC presidential ticket, having influenced the party’s decision not to zone its presidential slot.
“Makinde agreed to join ADC on the condition that he will be handed the party’s Vice Presidential ticket, as Atiku’s running mate.
“This is expected to be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for further discussions and ratification,” Fayose claimed.
The former governor also claimed, “Makinde offered to make available a sum of N10bn (to be released in two tranches), as his initial contribution towards what he called ‘proper take-off of the ADC,’ and make additional funds available when the campaign begins.”
He further alleged that the Oyo governor assured that he would mobilise delegates from the South-West during the party’s primary election and leverage his wife’s Rivers State roots to secure support from the South-South.
“He posited that for the general election, using him to divide the Southwest votes will give the ADC the needed advantage,” Fayose further disclosed.
He noted that a follow-up meeting between the key figures has been scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks.
The alleged political maneuverings come against the backdrop of a high-profile meeting held on Tuesday, where Atiku and Makinde reportedly held a closed-door session with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), at his hilltop residence in Minna.
Following the meeting, Atiku reportedly told newsmen that his visit to Niger State was aimed at strengthening the structures of the ADC in the state.
However, the former Vice President claimed that the meeting had nothing to do with contesting the 2027 presidential election.
He said the focus of his engagement was on the demand by Nigerians for real-time electronic transmission of election results, which he said would reduce confusion and electoral disputes in the country.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Governor Makinde or his aides regarding Fayose’s allegations. The claims, if substantiated, could signal significant realignments within Nigeria’s opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.