Amid Intrigues, Fayemi Garners Massive Support

Nseobong Okon-Ekong

At least 17 governors elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) may have backed the presidential aspiration of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi ahead of the special national convention scheduled for Tuesday, THISDAY has learnt.

Of the 17 governors, findings revealed that only Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State were not rooting for Fayemi’s candidature. 

Multiple sources disclosed this feat at the weekend, attesting to diverse re-alignment currently on-going to ensure that the governors put Fayemi, the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, on the ballot.

One of the sources said Fayemi had been able to regroup 17 out of the 22 APC governors who are sympathetic to presidential ambition, though five governors shut delegates from their states out of the reach. 

The source said: “In light of the push by the governors for one of their own to take over as president, Fayemi, a presidential aspirant of the APC has been rallying the governors around his candidacy.” 

In the last couple of days, according to the source, Fayemi had engaged 15 APC governors to support his push to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

Another source claimed that the meetings were positive and the governors were optimistic about Fayemi’s chances and his capacity to manage the affairs of the country efficiently.

He said: “Many governors have already pledged their support to Fayemi. They have also reiterated their stance that it is their collective decision for a governor to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“Fayemi’s meeting with the governors is in continuation of the engagements he had had with them in the past and that the recent meetings were at the instance of the governors, who wanted assurances on a number of issues.

“We are very optimistic about Fayemi’s chances and in the next couple of hours, many of the other governors on the sideline would come on board. We believe that some of the governors who are also aspiring would queue behind Fayemi.”

An entirely different source claimed that the calculation of the governors supporting Fayemi “is that a vote for Badaru may be a waste. He is not likely to upstage Lawan.

“The Senate President is believed to be the only other APC presidential aspirant who may be able to command a block vote from senators like Fayemi is expected from governors.”

However, the source observed that Fayemi “is expected to come out tops because all progressive governors have full control of delegates from their states. 

“With the supposed commitment of 17 governors, Fayemi is expected to put up a strong fight for the presidential ticket of the APC,” the source explained.