A political storm broke out on Monday when the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, used social media to mock an unnamed politician for allegedly accepting a vice-presidential position under questionable circumstances.
Keyamo’s comments come at a time of shifting alliances within Nigeria’s opposition, particularly involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Keyamo hinted that a well-known politician is struggling to explain to his supporters why he accepted a vice-presidential candidacy after party primaries had already ended.
“Finally, the chicken is coming home to roost: I understand that someone, somewhere has drafted and redrafted the statement he will release to hoodwink his ‘supporters’ on why he has accepted to be Vice-Presidential candidate after a primaries that he knows has long been concluded,” Keyamo wrote.
He dismissed the expected explanations as empty words, calling them “gibberish,” and promised that the upcoming campaign season would reveal political opportunism.
“He has written and torn drafts upon drafts, containing the normal gibberish of ‘my desire to rescue Nigeria’, bla, bla bla. It’s a tough one for him, but we are excited at the prospect of unmasking a true turncoat and a fraud at the coming campaigns,” Keyamo added.
These remarks come after reports that Peter Obi, who was Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in 2019, is set to officially join a coalition supported by the ADC. While rumors pointed to a formal joining event on December 31, Obi clarified his position during an X Space session on Sunday.
Obi rejected the idea that he is new to the ADC or the coalition, saying, “I am not joining ADC. I can’t re-join what I am already a part of.”
He explained that the opposition’s strategy is based on collaboration, stating, “I’ve been part of the coalition from day one. Nobody is stepping down for me in ADC. We have all agreed to work together.”
Despite the tensions caused by these political shifts, Obi addressed his relationship with Atiku Abubakar, dismissing any rumors of a fallout. He described Atiku as “my respected leader” and “an elder brother” whom he continues to respect.
With the December 31 date for the coalition announcement nearing, the sharp exchanges between the ruling party and opposition signal a tense buildup to the next election cycle.
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