How I Helped Impeach Fayose with Obasanjo’s Support – Ojudu Reveals
Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed how he masterminded the impeachment of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose with the backing of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Speaking on Edmund Obilo’s podcast State Affairs published on Thursday, Ojudu shared details of his role in the controversial impeachment process. He explained that he orchestrated and scripted Fayose’s removal from office with Obasanjo’s support.
Ojudu recounted: “I orchestrated Fayose’s impeachment in Ekiti. I had Obasanjo’s backing, but when he discovered my full involvement, he turned against me.”
“I had an agreement with Obasanjo to impeach Fayose, ensuring that his deputy was not affected. To execute the plan, I took the state lawmakers to Lagos, where I kept them in hotels, fed them, and kept them occupied,” Ojudu continued.
Despite not being a senator at the time, Ojudu, who was a journalist with financial backing from friends, saw an opportunity in the dissatisfaction among the lawmakers with Fayose and exploited it to his advantage.
However, when Obasanjo realized Ojudu’s full role, he became furious and supported the deputy governor, sending soldiers to Ekiti to assist her in claiming the governorship. Ojudu, in response, organized resistance, leading to a declaration of a state of emergency.
In a final twist, Ojudu recalled that Fayose sued him for libel, but after presenting his evidence in court, the judge, Justice Daramola, reportedly told Fayose, “you have no honour and integrity.”
Fayose, who became Ekiti’s governor on May 29, 2003, after defeating incumbent Governor Niyi Adebayo, saw his tenure abruptly end with impeachment on
October 16, 2006.
