Buba Galadima has said President Bola Tinubu has the backing of 34 and a half governors ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain spoke on Friday at the inauguration of the party’s national reconciliation committee.
Galadima said Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is the only governor not with Tinubu, while Abia State Governor Alex Otti is on the President’s side.
“President Tinubu has 34 and a half governors. The only governor that is not with him is Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Alex Otti of Abia State is there. Forget about that,” he said.
Galadima counted Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as the “half” governor because of his position between the NDC and Tinubu.
He said Mohammed held talks with the NDC and was due to defect after a meeting that lasted until 3am.
“The half is Governor Bala Mohammed. We met with him until 3am, and he was supposed to defect the next day, but he called us in the morning saying he has changed his mind because he was advised not to move to a party with a strong presidential candidate,” Galadima said.
The Bauchi governor could still work with either side, according to Galadima.
“Bala Mohammed is on the fence. He may work with us, or he may work with President Tinubu,” he said.
Galadima’s statement places Mohammed among the governors whose 2027 political choices could attract attention as parties prepare for the presidential election.
