BUBA Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has claimed that “34 and a half” governors are backing President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
News Point Nigeria reports that Galadima made the disclosure while speaking at the inauguration of the national reconciliation committee of the party, where he said Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, had yet to decide whether to work with the ruling party or the opposition coalition.
According to the NDC chieftain, Mohammed was advised against aligning with a party that has a strong presidential candidate following a meeting with NDC stakeholders.
Galadima also said Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had distanced himself from both Tinubu’s camp and the opposition coalition.
“There are thirty-four and a half governors. The one who is not with him, visibly shown, is Seyi Makinde. The half is Bala Mohammed,” Galadima said.
Explaining his reference to Mohammed as “half,” Galadima said the Bauchi governor met with members of the opposition coalition in the early hours of the morning but subsequently rescinded his decision.
“Mohammed is half, because Bala Mohammed met with us after the wee hours of the night, 3:00 a.m. We parted; we were both at the NDC together. Just for him in the morning to call that he has rescinded his decision, that he was advised not to go into any party with a strong presidential candidate,” Galadima said.
He said Mohammed was therefore still undecided and could eventually choose either side ahead of the 2027 elections.
“So, it means Bala Mohammed is on the fence. He may work with us; he may work with them. That’s why he’s half, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.
Galadima also contrasted the political leverage available to those in government with that of the opposition coalition, saying those in power could compel others to step aside or offer compensation.
“So if you are in power, you have the authority to say, look, we are only fielding this man; all of you step down. Or they can compensate you. We have nothing to compensate anybody, except we reason, except patriotism, that we need to salvage this country,” he said.
