Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has denied allegations of coordinating a seven-man opposition group to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had claimed that Fayemi was leading the group. Galadima made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, discussing efforts by opposition politicians to challenge Tinubu at the polls.
According to Galadima, opposition parties cannot legally present a single candidate on a joint platform against Tinubu. Instead, they should field separate candidates before rallying behind whoever emerges as the strongest challenger. Galadima stated that this strategy would involve allowing multiple opposition candidates to contest before supporters are encouraged to back one candidate if it becomes clear shortly before the election that the person can defeat Tinubu.
Galadima claimed that he was part of the group of seven opposition figures meeting under Fayemi’s coordination to work towards defeating Tinubu. He also alleged that some serving ministers and governors were privately sympathetic to the opposition, claiming that some were “with Tinubu during the day and with us at night.” However, Fayemi’s media team has dismissed the allegations, insisting that the former governor remains committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fayemi’s media aide, Julius Ogunro, said there was no truth in Galadima’s claim. The aide was referring to an earlier denial by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, head of the Fayemi Media Office, following a similar claim made by former Rivers State Governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, in August. Amaechi had claimed that he and Fayemi were among those who initially began discussions on forming an opposition coalition.
Fayemi has consistently affirmed his commitment to the APC at public engagements in Ekiti and across the country. He has worked to address challenges within the party and advance its stated political ideals. Fayemi served two non-consecutive terms as governor of Ekiti State on the APC platform between 2010 and 2022.
Recently, Fayemi described the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar’s proposal on fuel subsidy as a political strategy similar to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by APC in the 2023 election. Fayemi reiterated his support for the removal of fuel subsidy, saying he had advocated the policy for years, including during his tenure as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Fayemi acknowledged that Atiku's proposal could resonate with Nigerians who have been adversely affected by the removal of petrol subsidy. He stated that President Tinubu inherited the policy from the previous administration and that the only challenge he had with it was the way it was implemented. Fayemi had previously expressed his support for the policy, which has been a subject of controversy in the country.
Key points
- Fayemi denies leading opposition against Tinubu
- Opposition parties plan to field separate candidates
- Fayemi remains committed to APC
