Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed details of a high-level political meeting involving former military Head of State Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement personally signed by him, Fayose disclosed that the meeting was strategically arranged, with careful consideration given to the venue and participants to ensure discretion, confidence, and political acceptability. According to him, one of the key outcomes of the discussion was Makinde’s alleged agreement to align with Atiku Abubakar under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Fayose claimed that Makinde consented to join the ADC on the condition that he would be offered the party’s vice-presidential ticket as Atiku’s running mate. He added that this proposal is expected to be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for deliberation and ratification.
He further alleged that Peter Obi was effectively sidelined during the talks. Fayose stated that considerations were made that Obi might neither agree to serve as Atiku’s deputy nor be broadly accepted in the North as a potential successor. Additionally, he asserted that Atiku is “70 percent certain” of clinching the ADC presidential ticket, having influenced the party’s decision against zoning its presidential slot.
On the financial front, Fayose claimed that Makinde pledged an initial contribution of N10 billion, to be released in two tranches, to support the ADC’s early operations. Additional funding, he said, would be made available once the campaign formally begins.
Makinde reportedly assured that he could mobilize Southwest delegates during the party primaries and leverage his wife’s Rivers State roots to attract support from the South-South. A follow-up meeting, Fayose disclosed, has been scheduled to hold in Dubai within two weeks.
