ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Minna, Niger State, to discuss a possible vice-presidential arrangement under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Fayose made the claim in a statement issued on Wednesday and shared via his verified X account, where he detailed what he described as the “untold story” behind the closed-door meeting.
According to him, Makinde travelled to Minna on Tuesday for strategic talks with Atiku, with the choice of venue and participants deliberately structured to inspire confidence among key political stakeholders.
Fayose claimed that discussions centred on the selection of a potential running mate for Atiku ahead of the next presidential election.
He further alleged that Atiku’s camp believes the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would neither accept to serve as a deputy nor be widely acceptable in the North as a potential successor.
The former governor also claimed that Atiku is “70 per cent certain” of clinching the ADC presidential ticket, alleging that arrangements have been made to prevent the party from zoning its presidential ticket.
According to Fayose, Makinde reportedly agreed in principle to join the ADC on the condition that he would be offered the party’s vice-presidential slot as Atiku’s running mate.
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He said the proposal would be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for further deliberation and possible ratification.
Fayose further alleged that Makinde assured Atiku of his capacity to mobilise support for the ADC, particularly during the party’s primary election.
He claimed that the Oyo governor pledged to influence delegate support from the South-West and leverage political connections in Rivers State to attract backing from the South-South.
According to Fayose, Makinde also argued that his involvement in the ticket could strategically split votes in the South-West during the general election, potentially strengthening the ADC’s chances.
The former Ekiti governor added that a follow-up meeting between both camps is allegedly scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Makinde nor Atiku had publicly responded to the allegations.