Amaechi’s claim of co-founding ADC coalition with Fayemi lacks evidence, says media office

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state, has rejected claims attributed to Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, that they jointly founded the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition before broadening it to include other members.

In a press statement on Sunday, Ahmad Sajoh, head of Fayemi’s media office, said no credible evidence supports Amaechi’s assertion, adding that there is no video or reputable media report confirming the claim

Sajoh cautioned the public against accepting unverified social media narratives, which often distort or fabricate statements for ulterior motives.

He was reacting to a X Spaces conversation on Saturday, where Amaechi claimed that the ADC coalition “started with me and Fayemi in the house of Nasiru Danu with Salihu Mohammed and others”.

Amaechi described how the coalition began as a small meeting initiated by Salihu Mohammed, former national vice-chairman (north-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to reconcile Amaechi and Fayemi, which then expanded to include other political figures such as Aminu Tambuwal, a Nigerian senator and former governor of Sokoto.

“Saliyu was the one that started the meeting. He wanted Fayemi and I to reconcile and after reconciling, we agreed that we need to expand our meeting. It cannot be the two of us. And then, we got a consultant to look at the political structure and that of INEC and see which party will be most suitable,” he said.

Amaechi explained that a committee led by Liyel Imoke, ex-governor of Cross River, was tasked with selecting a suitable party for the coalition to join, eventually settling for ADC after negotiations with other parties like AA and Accord.

Sajoh, however, noted that Fayemi remains a member of the APC and loyal to the ruling party.

“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,” he said.

“We unequivocally state that these claims lack any basis. Dr. Fayemi remains a committed member and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State. 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.

“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.

“We also wish to note that Dr Fayemi is a politician and thought leader with friends and associates that span political, religious, ethnic and regional divides. And from time to time, he is part of conversations about the Nigeria project, how to deepen our fledgling democracy, make the country work for the greater good of all and overcome its numerous challenges.

“These conversations, however, do not amount to defections or leaving the APC. Dr Fayemi has the courage to pursue his convictions. If he were to leave the APC, he would make it public and not require a third party to do so. We state again, maybe for the umpteenth time: Dr Fayemi remains a principal member of the APC and is fully behind the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.”