Keyamo under fire, as comments on zoning draw sharp rebuttal from ADC
*Tension in Tinubu’s presidency, APC over ADC surprising growth, strategic moves
*Why is ADC not deciding where to zone its presidency – Keyamo
*Says Obidients will regret aligning with Atiku who uses Obi to leverage and win
*ADC accuses APC of undermining national cohesion by prioritising electoral victory over religious balance
*Exposes things APC majors in but ADC of doing
*Says opposition party remains focused on giving Nigerians alternative to APC’s “win-at-all-cost” approach
By KEMI KASUMU
Keyamo further claimed that Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, was acting out of self-interest by aligning with what he described as a flawed political arrangement. He warned that Obi’s supporters were being misled and would eventually regret their choices.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has come under criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following remarks he made about the opposition party’s internal politics and its stance on zoning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In what appears to be sign of tension in Tinubu’s presidency and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Keyamo questioned the ADC’s reluctance to clearly zone its presidential ticket, arguing that the absence of zoning could threaten national unity.
In comments shared publicly, the minister alleged that the ADC was effectively controlled by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and accused him of attempting to leverage Peter Obi’s support to advance his presidential ambition.
Keyamo further claimed that Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, was acting out of self-interest by aligning with what he described as a flawed political arrangement. He warned that Obi’s supporters were being misled and would eventually regret their choices.
ADC fires back
The ADC responded swiftly through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who dismissed Keyamo’s assertions as inaccurate and politically selective.
Abdullahi argued that zoning has not been consistently applied within the APC itself, citing past internal contests, including the 2015 and 2023 primaries, where candidates from multiple regions were allowed to compete.
He also accused the APC of undermining national cohesion by prioritising electoral victory over religious balance, referencing the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 election. According to Abdullahi, this decision demonstrated that zoning and balancing principles were applied only when politically convenient.
Addressing Keyamo’s concerns about the ADC, Abdullahi said the party was building a broad-based coalition and had not yet concluded decisions on its presidential ticket. He maintained that any eventual choice would be guided by electoral strategy and a commitment to preserving national unity.
Abdullahi rejected claims that the ADC was organised around the ambition of a single individual, describing such statements as an attempt to sow discord among opposition supporters. He added that the party remained focused on offering Nigerians an alternative to what he termed the APC’s “win-at-all-cost” approach.
The exchange highlights growing political tensions as parties and key figures begin to position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.
