Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has disclosed details of a closed-door meeting held yesterday in Minna, Niger State, between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
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It would be recalled that Governor Makinde travelled to Minna to meet with Atiku, a development that has continued to generate political interest. Fayose, who spoke as the source of the information, said the meeting was carefully planned, with the venue and personalities deliberately selected to guarantee confidence, discretion, and broad political acceptability.
According to Fayose, discussions at the meeting took into account the political reality that Peter Obi would neither accept to be Atiku’s running mate nor be acceptable to the North as Atiku’s successor.
He further disclosed that Atiku is about 70 per cent certain of clinching the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, having allegedly ensured that the party’s presidential ticket would not be zoned.
Fayose said Governor Makinde agreed in principle to join the ADC on the condition that he would be handed the party’s Vice Presidential ticket as Atiku’s running mate. The proposal, he added, is expected to be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for further discussions and possible ratification.
On funding, Fayose revealed that Makinde offered an initial ₦10 billion, to be released in two tranches, as his contribution towards what he described as the “proper take-off of the ADC,” with assurances of additional financial support when campaign activities commence.
The Oyo State governor also reportedly assured that he would deliver the Southwest delegates during the ADC primaries, while leveraging the influence of his wife, who is from Rivers State, to secure delegate votes in the South-South.
For the general election, Makinde reportedly argued that his presence on the ticket would help split Southwest votes, thereby giving the ADC a strategic advantage.
Fayose added that a follow-up meeting has been scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks.
— Ayodele Fayose,
Former Governor of Ekiti State.
