Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has shared details about how he and former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi began building an opposition coalition that eventually adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform.
Amaechi explained that after discussing the idea, both of them decided to expand the coalition to include more members.
Speaking on X Spaces during the ‘Weekend Politics’ show last weekend, he said the coalition now includes prominent opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former SGF Babachir Lawal, former Senate President David Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, among others.
Amaechi said in the viral audio: “ADC has overgrown those that started it. The coalition started between I and Fayemi in the house of Nasiru Danu, with Salihu Mohammed (Mustapha) and others. When we met, Salihu commenced the meeting. He wanted us to reconcile. After reconciliation, we agreed to broaden it so that it would involve more than just the two of us talking about starting a new party.”
He continued, “Then, we got a consultant to help us look at the political structure and that of INEC to determine which party will be most suitable. Then, we expanded by getting Tambuwal (Senator Aminu) and others. By the time we did that, we had grown to about 20 to 30. We thereafter set up a committee to look for any of the available parties to join. The committee, after negotiating with several parties like AA (Action Alliance), Accord Party, ended up with ADC.”
Amaechi added, “One of the requirements we set was that the party must give up its leadership so that everyone can join. I think ADC complied with our conditions. At this point, the coalition had grown too large with several other committees.”
He also highlighted other meetings, saying, “There were other group meetings like the one in Kashim’s (Imam) house and others in Lagos. At the end of the day, we all thereafter agreed to come together in ADC.”
In response to Amaechi’s comments, Dr. Fayemi’s media office issued a statement denying any claims that he had left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for ADC.
The statement by the Head of Fayemi Media Office, Abuja, Ahmad Sajoh, said: “In spite of efforts to verify this statement, which has gained traction on social and digital media, we have found no credible evidence to support it. No video of Hon. Amaechi making these claims or reports from reputable media organisations has been located.”
The statement cautioned, “In an era where fabricated or distorted statements are often attributed to public figures for malicious purposes, we are cautious about engaging with potentially manufactured controversies designed to provoke or profit. It is possible that Hon. Amaechi did not make the statement or was misquoted. We unequivocally state that these claims lack any basis.”
Fayemi remains a committed APC member, the statement stressed: “Dr Fayemi remains a committed member and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.”
The statement added, “According to the statement, Fayemi has, at various public forums in Ekiti and other places, consistently affirmed his dedication to the APC, working to address its challenges and advance its progressive ideals for Nigeria. Furthermore, Dr Fayemi has publicly endorsed His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, for re-election, clearly supporting his candidacy for the APC gubernatorial ticket. This underscores his loyalty to the APC.”
The media office concluded by urging caution, stating: “We urge the public to treat any news concerning Fayemi with caution, particularly when it originates solely from social media.”
