Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, offered a staggering N10 billion to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in exchange for the Vice Presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In an explosive revelation detailing what transpired during Makindeโs widely reported visit to former military head of state, Ibrahim Babaginda Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday, Fayose claimed that the meeting was not a mere consultation but a high-stakes political negotiation.
According to Fayose, Makinde has agreed to join the ADC on the condition that he is handed the partyโs Vice Presidential slot as Atikuโs running mate.
The Oyo Governor is said to have offered N10 billion, to be released in two tranches, as his initial contribution towards what he termed the โproper take-off of the ADC,โ with a pledge to make additional funds available when campaigns begin.
โVenue and personalities involved in the meeting were carefully chosen to ensure confidence and acceptability,โ Fayose stated.
He further revealed that consideration was given to the reality that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, would not accept to be Atikuโs running mate, nor would he be acceptable to the North as Atikuโs successor. This, Fayose claimed, has created an opening Makinde is aggressively pursuing.
Beyond the financial commitment, the Oyo Governor reportedly assured Atiku that he would deliver Southwest delegates for the ADC presidential primary.
He also pledged to deploy the influence of his wife, who is from Rivers State, to secure delegate votes in the South-South.
Fayose quoted Makinde as arguing that deploying him to divide the Southwest votes in the general election would give the ADC the needed strategic advantage against the ruling APC and other opposition parties.
The former Ekiti Governor disclosed that a follow-up meeting has been fixed for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, within the next two weeks. It is expected that Atikuโs inner caucus will deliberate on Makindeโs proposal for further discussions and ratification.
Atiku is said to be 70 percent certain of securing the ADC presidential ticket, having ensured the party avoided zoning its presidential ticket.
As at press time, neither Governor Makinde nor the Atiku camp had issued any official response to Fayoseโs explosive claims.
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