How I used Obasanjo to impeach Fayose – Babafemi Ojudu

Veteran journalist and politician Babafemi Ojudu has revealed how he allegedly used former president Olusegun Obasanjo to orchestrate the impeachment of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose.

In an interview with Edmund Obilo on state affairs, Ojudu disclosed how he worked behind the scenes with senators, using Obasanjo’s influence, to remove the governor.

“I have done some crazy things in Ekiti. I have removed a governor before. I plotted and scripted the impeachment of Fayose, through connivance with Obasanjo,” he said.

Ojudu shared that he entered an agreement to ensure the deputy governor would not be removed, but by the time Obasanjo realised he was being used, it was too late.

“I used Obasanjo, and by the time he knew, he got angry with me,” Ojudu admitted.

Reflecting on the strategy, he explained that removing Fayose was a well-planned operation, with substantial financial resources involved.

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“There was money to spend,” Ojudu said. To win the support of the senators, he took them to Lagos, put them up in a hotel, and fed them while discussing his plans.

When asked how he got the necessary funds, Ojudu stated that he had money himself, and his friends also contributed.

“I took them to Lagos, fed them, and I also paid them money; they were not happy with him, so I saw that weak link, and I exploited it,” he explained.

Ojudu also revealed that his political intrigues were documented in his book, ‘Adventures of a Guerrilla Journalist’. He noted that the former president became angry because the agreement they had signed was not fully adhered to.

Despite the agreement, Ojudu said he managed to use those around Obasanjo to advocate for Fayose’s removal. He added that it was easier to achieve this because the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was united at the time.

“Obasanjo gave the deputy governor soldiers to return to Ekiti and proclaim herself as deputy governor after Fayose’s exit, but I got people to resist her too,” Ojudu said.

The veteran journalist also shared that during this period, Fayose sued him for libel due to several allegations he had made against the former governor.

“I accused him of murder, and many other things, all written in my book,” he said.

Ojudu said although these events are now part of the past, whenever he and Fayose cross paths, the former governor still feels nervous during their exchanges.