Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has taken a swipe at the newly-formed opposition coalition, warning that it risks alienating Peter Obi’s vast support base if it fails to offer him the presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the coalition’s recent adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official political platform, Keyamo said the move ultimately benefits the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while exposing internal contradictions within the opposition ranks.
He argued that by aligning under a new party, the coalition’s members have effectively abandoned their original platforms—particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—a move he claimed could have legal implications and disqualify them from future electoral participation if they continue to identify with multiple parties.
Describing the ADC-led coalition as a final blow to the PDP, Keyamo claimed the party's traditional structure has collapsed, with its older stalwarts sidelined by younger elements. What remains, he said, is a political grouping led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar seeking relevance under a new banner.
“This is the formal end of the PDP,” Keyamo said, asserting that the ADC coalition is essentially a rebranded PDP faction rallying behind Atiku.
He dismissed the participation of a few former APC members in the alliance, calling them insignificant actors who either opposed President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections or failed to win their constituencies. Their exit, he noted, is even advantageous to the APC, as it purges the ruling party of dissenting voices.
Keyamo expressed particular concern over Peter Obi’s role in the new coalition, accusing its leaders of leveraging Obi’s popularity without offering him genuine leadership prospects. He cautioned that denying Obi the 2027 presidential ticket could backfire, especially in the South-East and South-South regions where he performed strongly in the last election.
“The person the old, cunning guards want to take for a ride in all of this is Peter Obi,” Keyamo said. “They want his votes but don’t want to give him the presidential ticket. This is Atiku’s show simpliciter. That’s why David Mark is the interim chairman. Those who understand politics know what I mean.”
He added, “But if you do not give Peter Obi the presidential ticket, you lose his supporters. It’s as simple as that. How do you make someone who won two regions in the last election (South-East and South-South) a running mate to someone who only won the North-East?”
The opposition’s decision to adopt ADC as its umbrella platform was finalised during a high-level meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, ending months of speculation over their political direction.
As part of the arrangement, former Senate President David Mark was named interim National Chairman of ADC, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was appointed interim National Secretary.
The coalition includes several high-profile politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, all of whom are expected to play critical roles in mounting a challenge to President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
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