Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Babafemi Ojudu, has openly admitted to masterminding the impeachment of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, a move that has sparked significant public discussion.
According to historical records, Fayose assumed office as the second governor of Ekiti State on May 29, 2003, after defeating the incumbent, Niyi Adebayo, in the gubernatorial election. However, his tenure was unexpectedly cut short when he was impeached on October 16, 2006.
In a recent appearance on the podcast *State Affairs with Edmund Obilo*, which aired on Thursday, Ojudu made a startling revelation about his role in the impeachment of Fayose. Ojudu disclosed that he had orchestrated and written the entire script for the impeachment, with the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had a significant influence over the plan.
Ojudu went on to explain that, after learning of his direct involvement in the plot, Obasanjo had turned against him, retaliating for his actions in the impeachment scheme. He further shared intricate details of how the impeachment unfolded. "I plotted and scripted the impeachment of Fayose in Ekiti. I used Obasanjo, and when he realized it, he fought back against me," Ojudu revealed during the podcast.
Elaborating on the process, Ojudu explained that he made a formal agreement and even signed documents ensuring that while Fayose would be impeached, his deputy would remain in office. He recalled how he transported all the lawmakers involved to Lagos, where they were accommodated in hotels, well-fed, and moved around to ensure the plan's success. Ojudu also pointed out that despite not holding a political office at the time, he had the financial backing from friends who shared his dissatisfaction with Fayose’s leadership.
“Obasanjo was angry and gave the deputy governor soldiers to return to Ekiti and proclaim herself as governor. When she got there, I called people to resist her, and they had no alternative but to declare an emergency,” Ojudu explained further, describing the intensity of the political maneuvering that took place. He went on to mention how Fayose responded by suing him for libel, a case that was eventually handled by renowned lawyer Femi Falana. “Fayose sued me for libel, and Falana was my lawyer. I went to court and presented my facts. By the time we finished, Justice Daramola told Fayose, 'you have no honour and integrity,'” he added. These words, according to Ojudu, represented a clear reflection of Fayose’s fall from political grace.
The revelations made by Ojudu have sparked widespread reactions, raising questions about the ethics of political maneuvering and the role of influential figures in shaping the political landscape of the time. The admission has further fueled the ongoing conversation about the dynamics of Nigerian politics and the often unseen forces behind significant political shifts.
