Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says 34 and a half governors are backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Galadima made the claim while speaking at the inauguration of the NDC’s national reconciliation committee.
According to him, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has yet to decide whether to work with the ruling party or the opposition coalition.
Galadima said Mohammed met with NDC stakeholders but was later advised against joining a party with a strong presidential candidate.
He also claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has 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.
“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 Just for him in the morning to call that he has rescinded his decision, that he was advised not to go into any party with a strong presidential candidate,” he said.
Galadima said Mohammed remained “on the fence” and could still decide to work with either side.
“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.
He added that the ruling party could use its influence to persuade governors to back Tinubu, while the opposition coalition had fewer incentives to offer.
“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.”
The remarks come as political parties and opposition groups intensify preparations ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
