Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged details of a recent political meeting involving Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) in Minna, Niger State, over the vice-presidential slot of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement released on Wednesday and shared on his verified X handle, Fayose claimed that the Makinde, Atiku meeting with IBB over ADC VP slot was carefully planned to build confidence among key political stakeholders ahead of the next presidential election.
According to Fayose, discussions at the meeting centred on Atiku’s choice of a running mate and his strategy to secure the ADC presidential ticket. He alleged that Atiku’s camp believes Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would neither accept to serve as deputy nor be widely acceptable in the North as a potential successor.
Fayose further claimed that Atiku is confident of emerging as the ADC presidential candidate, following what he described as arrangements to prevent zoning of the party’s ticket. He added that during the Makinde, Atiku meeting with IBB over ADC VP slot, the Oyo State governor reportedly agreed in principle to defect to the ADC, on the condition that he would be nominated as Atiku’s running mate.
The former Ekiti governor said the proposal would be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for further deliberation and possible approval. He also alleged that Makinde assured Atiku of his capacity to mobilise support for the ADC, particularly during the party’s primary election.
According to Fayose, Makinde promised to deliver delegates from the South-West and leverage family connections in Rivers State to gain backing from the South-South. He further alleged that Makinde argued that his involvement in the race would enable the ADC to split votes in the South-West during the general election.
Fayose added that a follow-up meeting between both camps has reportedly been scheduled to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks, as part of efforts linked to the Makinde, Atiku meeting with IBB over ADC VP slot.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Atiku Abubakar nor Governor Seyi Makinde had responded to the claims surrounding the Makinde, Atiku meeting with IBB over ADC VP slot.
Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday
It is no longer news that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, went to Minna, Niger State, yesterday to hold a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Here is what happened behind…
— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) February 11, 2026