Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has called opposition leaders’ current attempts to build a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections “ill-conceived.”
In an interview with Vanguard, Keyamo questioned the viability of an opposition party merger, claiming that it would make it more difficult for candidates running for other positions.
“They are a confused lot,” he inquired. Which banner should we unite under? What happens to candidates running for other positions on both sides that will be up for election on the same day?
“Will they run a joint campaign for a single presidential candidate after running against themselves?”
The minister also cautioned that party members who are currently getting ready for elections would become hostile to such an arrangement.
Or, because of their unbridled ambition, are they ready to dismiss them now?” he said.
“You think you will drop some of the other ADC and PDP candidates at the last minute, and they will still be loyal to you? For example, all the other candidates are already warming up for various offices.”
Keyamo made a distinction between strategic organization and political rhetoric, arguing that public declarations alone are insufficient for coalition development.
He stated, “The issue with these characters is that they believe this whole thing is about sermonizing, not organizing.”
Keyamo cautioned that similar last-minute negotiations have failed in the past, citing other attempts at opposition alliances.
“In 2011, the CPC and ACN attempted something similar at the last minute, but it ended in disaster,” Keyamo continued.
“So, on the way to 2027, these characters are in for a long night and a rude shock.”
According to Naija News, the comments follow a meeting of prominent opposition leaders in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they promised to field a joint presidential candidate to run against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
A group of the Peoples Democratic Party and prominent members of the African Democratic Congress attended the gathering.
Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and Kabiru Turaki were among those in attendance.
