Former Ekiti State Governor and immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed reports claiming that he recently held a closed-door political meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Fayemi described the report as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to create political speculation. He urged members of the public to ignore the claim, saying it had no basis in fact.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Fayemi’s Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh. The statement came in response to a post that circulated widely on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.
The viral post claimed that Fayemi and Kwankwaso met privately at Fayemi’s residence in Abuja for undisclosed political discussions. To support the claim, the post was shared alongside a video clip showing Fayemi welcoming Kwankwaso at his home.
However, Fayemi’s media office explained that the video being circulated was old and had been taken out of context to mislead the public.
According to the statement, Fayemi has met Kwankwaso only once in the past one year, and that meeting was not private or political.
“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.
It further stressed that there had been no private or closed-door political meeting between both men, contrary to what was suggested online.
“At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post,” the statement added.
The clarification comes at a time when political activities and alignments ahead of future elections are beginning to draw public attention. In Nigeria, meetings between prominent political figures often trigger speculation about alliances, defections, or new political strategies.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and a former Minister of Defence, is a key political figure in northern Nigeria. He was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election and continues to command a strong following, especially in Kano State and parts of the North.
Dr Kayode Fayemi, on the other hand, is a former two-term governor of Ekiti State and a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development. He also contested for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 but lost during the party’s primary election.
Because of their political profiles, any reported interaction between Fayemi and Kwankwaso often attracts attention and political interpretation.
In the statement, Fayemi acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have known each other for many years and share a personal relationship that dates back to their time as state governors.
However, he was quick to point out that their friendship is not based on party politics or political planning.
“Dr Fayemi and Senator Kwankwaso have been friends since their days as governors, but their relationship is personal and non-partisan,” the statement said.
It explained that the friendship is built on mutual respect and a shared concern for Nigeria’s development, not on any form of political alliance.
The former Ekiti governor also used the opportunity to caution against attempts by political actors and commentators to attach partisan meaning to personal relationships.
He noted that in Nigeria’s political space, it has become common for people to read political motives into every interaction among public figures, even when such interactions are social or professional.
Fayemi stressed that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political parties.
“Dr Fayemi’s associates span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain,” the statement said.
This, according to him, reflects his belief in dialogue, inclusiveness, and national unity, rather than narrow party interests.
In recent years, several Nigerian politicians have had to publicly deny reports of secret meetings, alleged defections, or political deals fueled by social media speculation.
Fayemi’s statement also reaffirmed his commitment to responsible public discourse and national unity. He called on Nigerians to be cautious about information shared online and to verify claims before drawing conclusions.
The former governor has often spoken about the need for mature politics and issue-based engagement in Nigeria. As Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum from 2015 to 2023, Fayemi was known for working with governors across party lines and regions.
During his time at the NGF, he frequently emphasized cooperation among states, regardless of political differences, especially on issues such as security, economy, and federal-state relations.
Kwankwaso, for his part, remains a strong voice in opposition politics and continues to attract attention over his next political move. Since the 2023 elections, there has been speculation about possible alliances between major political figures ahead of future contests.
However, Fayemi’s media office made it clear that no such discussion took place between him and the former Kano governor.
The statement urged the public and the media to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could mislead the public or heighten political tension.
It also called on social media users to act responsibly, noting that false reports can damage reputations and distract from more important national issues.
As Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, security concerns, and governance issues, analysts say public attention should be focused on policy discussions and solutions rather than rumours about political meetings.
Fayemi’s denial is expected to put the matter to rest, though it also serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread in the digital age.
For now, the former Ekiti governor maintains that his relationship with Kwankwaso remains a personal one, rooted in friendship and mutual respect, and not tied to any secret political agenda.