The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has asserted that the recent coalition movement into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly bolstered the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Keyamo explained, “What happened earlier today (yesterday) with the movement of the so-called ‘coalition’ into the ADC is the greatest factor that has strengthened the APC, ahead of the 2027 elections. Let me explain.”
He emphasized the legal implications of political affiliations, stating, “By law, you cannot operate from, or belong to, two or multiple political parties, so it is safe to say that their open declaration for ADC today is a clear abandonment of their previous parties. In fact, belonging to two political parties is a ground for disqualification in an election.”
Keyamo described the current state of the ADC as a formal disintegration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which he referred to as Nigeria’s former strongest opposition. “Therefore, the emergence of ADC, as currently constituted marks the formal dismemberment of the PDP, hitherto Nigeria’s strongest opposition Party. Majority of the old guard in the PDP (who have apparently lost control of the Party) have been pushed out of the party by the Younger Turks within the PDP.”
He further noted, “That is why the gathering today was a conglomerate of ‘former this’ and ‘former that’ of the PDP. No matter how you look at it, this is just Atiku’s faction of PDP in desperate search for the 2027 presidential ticket – nothing more, nothing less.”
Keyamo also pointed out that some APC members who joined the coalition had previously opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or lost their constituencies in 2023. “The other addition to the so-called ‘coalition’ is a sprinkling of APC members, who actually worked against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last election and one or two APC leaders who lost their constituencies to opposition parties in 2023.”
He insisted that the APC remains unaffected by these defections, likening the situation to removing a harmful element from within. “Their movement, therefore, takes NOTHING away from the APC. It is actually better for the APC because it is just a case of totally extracting the germ that was eating the cola nut from within.”
Keyamo warned that Peter Obi is being used by the coalition, stating, “The person who the old, cunning guards want to take for a ride in all of this is Peter Obi. They want his votes, but don’t want to give him their presidential ticket because this is Atiku’s show simpliciter.”
He highlighted the political calculations behind the appointment of David Mark as interim chairman and questioned the logic of making Obi a running mate. “That is why David Mark is the interim chairman. Those who know politics know what I am saying. But if you do not give Peter Obi the presidential ticket, you lose his supporters. It is as simple as that. And how can you make someone who won two regions in the last election (South-East and South-South) a running mate to the person who won only one region (North-East)?”
Keyamo concluded that the opposition parties have weakened since 2023, while the APC has grown stronger. “Therefore, when the dust settles, you will discover that PDP and the Labour Party have lost something, the ADC have only gained something like a caricature, but the APC has lost ABSOLUTELY nothing.”
He urged a focus on governance, saying, “For now, let us face governance and allow them exercise their constitutional right to associate and assemble.”