Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has alleged that former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, is coordinating a seven-man group of opposition figures working to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Gatekeepers News reports that Galadima made the allegation on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the opposition’s strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He argued that opposition parties could not legally field a single candidate against Tinubu, suggesting instead that multiple candidates should contest the election before opposition supporters rally behind one candidate considered capable of defeating the president.
“Technically, legally, other opposition parties cannot produce one single candidate on the ballot to face Tinubu. We have passed that stage,” he said.
“So my idea has always been that we face Tinubu as a hydra-headed snail. And if, a day to the election, we are convinced that Mr A or Mr B is the person that can beat Tinubu, we can just tell our supporters — it’s happening all over the world — to vote for that single person.
“It’s the only way to tackle Tinubu politically and defeat him, and I stand by that.”
Galadima said he was part of the seven-man opposition group allegedly being coordinated by Fayemi and claimed that the group was making progress.
“I am part of the group of the opposition candidates, seven of us meeting under the coordination of ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state to try to work on that. And we are making progress,” he said.
Asked what the group was working towards, Galadima replied: “Defeating Tinubu.”
He also said he did not know Fayemi “to be an active member of the APC”, adding that some members of the ruling party were allegedly engaging with the opposition.
“And even with that, there are a lot of ministers and governors who are with Tinubu during the day and with us at night. Tinubu should know that,” he added.
Fayemi’s aide dismisses allegation
Fayemi, who served two non-consecutive terms as Ekiti State governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) between 2010 and 2022, has denied similar claims in the past.
Julius Ogunro, one of Fayemi’s media aides, dismissed Galadima’s allegation, saying the former governor remains committed to the APC.
Speaking with TheCable, Ogunro recalled that Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, had made a similar claim in August. The allegation was subsequently rejected by Ahmad Sajoh, head of Fayemi’s media office.
“There’s no truth in that claim. The head of the Fayemi Media Office, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, had earlier responded to such claim. It is not true,” Ogunro said.
Amaechi had alleged that he and Fayemi initially began discussions on forming an opposition coalition before agreeing to expand the talks to other stakeholders interested in establishing a new political party.
But Sajoh, in a statement at the time, rejected the claim.
“We unequivocally state that these claims lack any basis. Dr Fayemi remains a committed member and leader of the APC in Ekiti State,” he said.
“At various public forums in Ekiti and nationwide, he has consistently affirmed his dedication to the APC, working to address its challenges and advance its progressive ideals for Nigeria. Nothing has changed.”
Galadima had also claimed in August that “34 and a half” governors were backing Tinubu’s re-election bid, while saying Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed had yet to decide whether to align with the ruling party or the opposition coalition.
