Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed an allegation by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain, Buba Galadima, linking him to a seven-member opposition group allegedly working to challenge President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Galadima made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he discussed possible strategies being considered by opposition politicians ahead of the next general election. (TheCable)
According to Galadima, opposition parties may no longer be able to present a single candidate under a joint platform against Tinubu. He argued that the parties should instead field their individual candidates and potentially consolidate support behind one contender closer to the election if there is agreement over who can mount the strongest challenge.
He said such an approach would allow different opposition candidates to participate in the election before supporters could eventually be encouraged to support one candidate.
Galadima further claimed that he was among seven opposition figures involved in discussions allegedly being coordinated by Fayemi.
He said the group was working towards a common political objective and claimed that its members had already made progress in their discussions.
When asked about the purpose of the meetings, Galadima identified the objective as defeating Tinubu at the 2027 poll.
He also alleged that some serving governors and ministers were privately sympathetic to opposition forces despite their public association with the President. However, the claim was not accompanied by specific names or evidence in the reported interview. (NewsScroll)
Fayemi’s camp has, however, rejected the allegation.
Julius Ogunro, a media aide to the former governor, described Galadima’s claim as untrue and maintained that Fayemi remains committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ogunro also referenced an earlier denial issued by Fayemi’s media office after a similar claim was made in August by former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.
Amaechi had alleged that he and Fayemi were involved in the initial discussions surrounding the formation of an opposition coalition before other political actors were brought into the process.
Fayemi’s media office subsequently rejected the assertion. Ahmad Sajoh, head of the former governor’s media office, said the claim had no basis and reaffirmed Fayemi’s membership of the APC.
Sajoh stated that Fayemi had repeatedly expressed his commitment to the party during public engagements in Ekiti State and other parts of the country, while also working to address challenges within the APC. (TheCable)
Fayemi served as governor of Ekiti State for two non-consecutive terms, from 2010 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2022, on the APC platform.
The latest allegation has therefore been met with a fresh denial from his representatives, leaving the claim of his alleged coordination of the seven-member opposition group disputed. (pmnewsnigeria.com)
