Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has cautioned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may face major political setbacks in the 2027 presidential election if it chooses either former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, as its flagbearer.
Keyamo, in a lengthy statement on his X account, argued that the opposition party has remained in a “difficult and disadvantaged position” since it failed to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South—an error he claimed cost the party critical support in its traditional South-South and South-East bases.
Legal Risks for Jonathan’s Candidacy
The minister warned that fielding Jonathan could place the PDP in a constitutional bind. He cited Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which bars anyone who has been sworn in twice as president from contesting again.
According to him, although a past court judgment had cleared Jonathan to contest in 2015, the subsequent constitutional amendment has altered the legal terrain. “If he is fielded, the party runs the risk of not having a candidate at all,” Keyamo stressed, warning that the Supreme Court would be the final arbiter on the matter.
He emphasized that if the PDP ignored this risk and lost its candidate after nominations closed, it would have itself to blame. “Nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ if such a scenario plays out,” he wrote.
Southwest and Peter Obi Factor
Keyamo also dismissed the chances of the PDP successfully presenting a candidate from the South-West, noting that such a move would face stiff resistance. He argued that the region would struggle to rally enough national support since a fresh Yoruba candidate, eligible for two full terms, would have to contend with the ruling APC’s strong structures in the zone.
On Obi, he argued that bringing the former Labour Party candidate back into the PDP would not resolve the party’s internal troubles. He suggested that doubts about Obi’s credibility—particularly his earlier one-term pledge—could weaken enthusiasm among his supporters.
“The principled ones among the ‘Obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit and may not be as vocal in their support anymore,” he stated.
PDP Responds: Keyamo Has No Authority Over Our Affairs
The PDP, however, swiftly rejected Keyamo’s intervention, insisting that he has no authority to determine its 2027 strategy.
Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, described the minister’s remarks as “reckless, self-serving, and unbecoming of a public officer.”
According to Osadolor, the PDP owes no allegiance to Keyamo or the ruling party. “For him to imagine that he can dictate to Nigerians what they should or should not do in 2027 is unnecessary. The PDP is a reputable institution; it owes no loyalty or obligation to Festus Keyamo,” he said.
He further framed the upcoming election as a contest between Nigerians and what he called a ruling “cabal” that has worsened living conditions, security, and infrastructure.
Criticism of Government’s Performance
Osadolor accused the administration of failing to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. He challenged Keyamo to travel by road from Abuja to Kano or Damaturu without police escorts to experience the reality of insecurity firsthand.
He also criticized the federal government’s allocation of nearly ₦1 trillion for the rehabilitation of Lagos International Airport, alleging that the funds could have been better used to build multiple new airports if managed transparently.
“That amount could construct more than five brand-new airports in this country if proper due process was followed. Instead, what we see is inflated contracts designed to divert resources and build political war chests ahead of 2027,” he alleged.
Concluding, Osadolor insisted that Keyamo’s remarks were driven by personal gain: “His beak is being wetted by the common wealth of Nigerians, so he talks carelessly. But he cannot dictate to the PDP. He has no standing whatsoever in this matter.”
