Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is considering joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fayose claimed to have knowledge of a recent closed-door meeting between Makinde and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Minna, Niger State, where discussions reportedly centered on a potential political partnership within the ADC.
According to Fayose’s account, the meeting explored the possibility of Makinde becoming Atiku’s running mate if the former vice president secures the ADC presidential ticket.
Fayose further alleged that Makinde expressed willingness to support the ADC financially to strengthen the party’s structure, reportedly offering an initial sum of ₦10 billion to assist with what he described as the party’s “proper take-off,” subject to agreements reached during the talks.
He also claimed that strategic considerations were discussed regarding delegate support from the South-West and South-South regions in the event of ADC primaries and the general election.
The former governor suggested that the choice of meeting venue and participants was carefully planned to ensure discretion and mutual confidence among those involved.
Fayose also alleged that Atiku is confident of securing the ADC presidential ticket, partly due to internal arrangements regarding the zoning of the party’s presidential slot. He claimed that discussions included the political calculations around regional balance and electoral advantage in 2027.
A follow-up meeting, according to Fayose, is expected to take place outside Nigeria in the coming weeks for further deliberations.
As of the time of this report, neither Governor Seyi Makinde nor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly confirmed these claims. The ADC has also not issued any official statement regarding the alleged discussions.
The development, if confirmed, would signal early political maneuvering and possible realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, as political actors begin to explore alliances across party lines.
