Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, over the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single term.
In a statement shared on X, Keyamo described the arrangement as a deceptive political strategy, labelling it a “419 decision.” According to him, the proposal to produce a Southern president for only one term was an attempt to mislead Nigerians.
“The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians. It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit,” Keyamo said.
The minister further argued that the proposed agreement could easily be reversed if Obi eventually emerges president under the platform of another political party or influences the party leadership to alter the decision ahead of the 2031 election.
“So, what happens if Peter Obi changes his Party, assuming he wins, or as leader of the NDC he gets the NEC of the Party to reverse the decision, if in the unlikely event he wins?” he queried.
He also maintained that the arrangement reflected desperation within the opposition camp ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the move undermined public confidence in the party’s intentions.
“This is an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians; it smacks of outright desperation and actually accentuates the dilemma of the opposition as a whole in the 2027 Presidential elections. It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419,” he added.
The NDC had earlier announced during its National Convention that its 2027 presidential ticket would be zoned to the Southern region. The party also disclosed that the arrangement would pave the way for a Northern candidate to emerge as its presidential flagbearer in 2031.
