Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says President Bola Tinubu enjoys the support of 34 governors ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

 

Galadima made the disclosure while speaking at the inauguration of the NDC’s national reconciliation committee.

 

According to him, only Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has openly distanced himself from Tinubu’s camp and the opposition coalition, while Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed remains undecided.

 

“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.

 

He explained that Mohammed was being counted as “half” because of his recent engagements with the opposition coalition and subsequent decision to reconsider his position.

 

“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 Just for him in the morning to call that he has rescinded his decision, that he was advised not to go into any party with a strong presidential candidate,” Galadima said.

 

Galadima said the development had left Mohammed on the fence over whether to align with the ruling party or the opposition ahead of the 2027 election.

 

“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.

 

“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.”