Claim by Rotimi Amaechi that he co-founded the African Democratic Congress, alongside Dr Kayode Fayemi has attracted denial from the former Ekiti State governor.
Amaechi had on X Spaces conversation on Saturday declared that the ADC coalition: “started with me and Fayemi in the house of Nasiru Danu with Salihu Mohammed and others.”
The former Rivers State governor related that 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 him and Fayemi, which then expanded to include other political figures such as Aminu Tambuwal, a Nigerian senator and former governor of Sokoto.
His account has received pushback from Fayemi who in a statement his Head of Media, Mallam Sajoh, released, said he’s never part of ADC coalition and remains in the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The statement reads: “We address the alleged claim by Mr Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, that he and our principal, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State, founded the new ADC coalition before expanding it to include others.
“Despite 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 have been located.
“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 Mr Amaechi did not make the statement or was misquoted.
“We unequivocally state that these claims lack any basis. Dr. Fayemi remains a committed member and leader of the 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 Governor Biodun Oyebanji 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.”
