Atiku’s Running Mate: Makinde Open To Consultation, Says Oyo PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has said the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, is open to consult with any political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party stated this in reaction to a claim by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, who claimed that the meeting between former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Makinde and former President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, Niger State on Tuesday was about the Oyo State governor agreeing to be Atiku’s running mate in 2027.

Attempts to get Makinde’s reaction proved abortive as one of his media aides, who preferred anonymity, said he was not authorised to speak about the governor’s politics.

The party’s state chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, who spoke  with LEADERSHIP in Ibadan on Wednesday, said “with what is happening in our party now, our principal is open for consultation.”

The PDP state chairman said “everything said by Fayose is still in the realm of speculation.

“This is politics, it is about interest. With the situation, our principal is open to consultation. It is normal in any political dispensation.

“Fayose has been saying everything about our principal. He should leave our principal alone.

“Our principal is open for consultation with any political party. Are you saying that Fayose is saying is the truth?

“I want to say that wherever our principal is going, the state PDP and in fact, the people of the state will follow him”, he said.

Earlier, Fayose said the Tuesday’s meeting at the hilltop residence of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, Niger State capital, involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, was to consummate a political deal of making Makinde the running mate to Atiku in the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

LEADERSHIP reports that Atiku met General Babangida (rtd) at his private residence on Tuesday and the meeting was later joined by Governor Makinde. The former Vice President, however, later told journalists that it was a routine consultation with the former military president.

But, Fayose in a statement, titled ‘Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday’, revealed what he called the outcome of the private meeting without stating his source of information.

Fayose, who was governor of Ekiti State at two different times – 2003 to 2006 and 2014 to 2018 – claimed that former Anambra State governor and ADC chieftain, Peter Obi, had been ruled out of the party’s presidential ticket, hence the choice of Makinde to pair with Atiku.

He wrote: “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 the curtains.

“Venue and personalities involved in the meeting was carefully chosen so as to ensure confidence and acceptability.

“Consideration was given to the fact that Peter Obi will not accept to be Atiku’s running mate and he won’t also be acceptable to the North, as Atiku’s successor.

“Also, Atiku is 70% certain of getting the ADC ticket, having ensured the non-zoning of the party’s presidential ticket.

“Makinde agreed to join ADC on the condition that he will be handed the party’s Vice Presidential ticket, as Atiku’s running mate. This is expected to be presented to Atiku’s inner caucus for further discussions and ratification.

“Makinde offered to make available a sum of N10bn (to be released in two tranches), as his initial contribution towards what he called “proper take-off of the ADC,” and make additional funds available when campaign begins.

“The Governor also assured that for the ADC primary, he will deliver the Southwest delegates and use the influence of wife, who is from Rivers State to secure delegate votes in the South-South.

“He posited that for the general election, using him to divide the Southwest votes will give the ADC the needed advantage.”

Fayose added that a follow-up meeting had been fixed for Dubai, UAE, within the next two weeks.