2027: Fayemi Denies Galadima’s Claim He Is Coordinating Opposition Group Against Tinubu

2027: Fayemi Denies Galadima’s Claim He Is Coordinating Opposition Group Against Tinubu

Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has rejected a claim by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain Buba Galadima that he is coordinating a seven-member opposition group working towards challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Galadima made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed possible strategies by opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 election.

According to Galadima, he is one of seven opposition figures meeting under Fayemi’s coordination to develop a strategy for challenging Tinubu.

“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,” Galadima said.

When asked what the group was working towards, Galadima responded that its objective was “defeating Tinubu.” He did not publicly identify the other members of the alleged seven-person group.

Galadima also outlined his preferred strategy for the 2027 election, arguing that opposition parties should field their own candidates rather than attempt to place a single candidate on the ballot through a joint arrangement at this stage.

He suggested that opposition supporters could subsequently be encouraged to back one candidate if, close to the election, the opposition reached a consensus about which candidate should receive broader support.

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However, Fayemi has denied that he is coordinating the group described by Galadima.

Julius Ogunro, a media aide to the former governor, told TheCable that there was “no truth” in the allegation and referred to an earlier denial issued by Fayemi’s media office.

The latest denial follows a similar claim made in August by Rotimi Amaechi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate.

Amaechi had said he and Fayemi were involved in initial discussions that later expanded to include other political stakeholders interested in creating a broader opposition platform.

Fayemi’s media office rejected that claim at the time.

Ahmad Sajoh, head of the Fayemi Media Office, said the former governor remained a committed member and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.

Sajoh said Fayemi had consistently affirmed his commitment to the APC and was working within the party to address its challenges and advance what he described as its progressive ideals.

Fayemi served two non-consecutive terms as Ekiti State governor on the APC platform between 2010 and 2022. He also served as Minister of Solid Minerals Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The latest controversy comes amid continuing efforts by opposition politicians and groups to explore possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Political actors opposed to the APC administration have held discussions about possible alliances, cooperation and strategies for presenting a stronger challenge at the polls. Different proposals have emerged, including arrangements in which parties retain their individual candidates while coordinating support around a candidate considered acceptable to a wider section of the opposition.

Galadima’s comments form part of that broader discussion, but his claim about Fayemi’s role has not been independently confirmed.

The identities of the other six people allegedly involved in the group have also not been publicly disclosed by Galadima.

Fayemi’s position, as communicated through his media aides, remains that he is committed to the APC and that the claim that he is coordinating the alleged seven-man opposition group is untrue.

The disagreement therefore leaves two conflicting accounts: Galadima says Fayemi is coordinating a group of opposition figures working towards a common strategy against Tinubu, while Fayemi’s representatives reject the claim and maintain that he remains committed to the ruling party.

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election intensify, further developments will determine whether the reported opposition discussions translate into a formal political arrangement or remain informal consultations among politicians and political groups.

2027: Fayemi Denies Galadima’s Claim He Is Coordinating Opposition Group Against Tinubu