Former Ekiti State Governor and immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed reports alleging that he recently held a private meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, Fayemi described the report as false and misleading, urging members of the public to ignore it entirely.
The clarification followed the circulation of claims on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, accompanied by an old video clip showing Fayemi exchanging greetings with Kwankwaso at his residence. The video was shared by several social media accounts, fuelling speculation about a purported closed-door political discussion.
According to the statement, Fayemi has met Kwankwaso only once in the past year, and that encounter took place at a public event. “Dr Fayemi’s only meeting with Senator Kwankwaso within the last year was during the public presentation of a book by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement clarified.
It stressed that at no point did Fayemi engage in, or plan, any private political meeting with Kwankwaso, contrary to the claims being circulated online.
While acknowledging a long-standing personal relationship with the former Kano governor dating back to their time in office, Fayemi noted that their friendship is non-partisan and rooted in mutual respect and shared national interests rather than political collaboration.
The former governor also cautioned against attempts to politicise personal relationships, pointing out that many of his associates and friends either belong to different political parties or are not active in partisan politics at all.
The statement further noted that Fayemi maintains relationships across Nigeria’s diverse political landscape and remains committed to national unity, constructive engagement and responsible public communication.
