The Federal Government has dismissed the possibility that a political alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi could pose a serious threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this known on Sunday during a political current affairs programme, describing the speculated merger as a “fruitless adventure.”
Keyamo said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is unfazed by emerging opposition alignments, stressing that Nigerians are already familiar with their “outdated and deceptive strategies.”
“They know us very well, and we also know them. Some of the tactics they’re using now are what I call expired 419 methods,” he said.
The minister criticised what he described as hypocrisy among key opposition figures, accusing one of flaunting wealth while claiming to advocate for ordinary Nigerians.
“One of them is busy displaying 500 cars in his garage while telling Nigerians he wants to rescue them,” he added.
Keyamo maintained that President Tinubu’s administration is making tangible progress in stabilising the economy, pointing to improvements such as increased foreign reserves, rising government revenue, and a more stable naira.
“These are signs of a recovering economy. The benefits will eventually reach ordinary Nigerians through job creation and increased spending power,” he said.
He downplayed the opposition’s emphasis on inflation and rising food prices, dismissing it as an emotional appeal lacking depth.
“They talk about the cost of yams and other food items to create panic, but they ignore the broader economic recovery,” he argued.
Keyamo echoed a recent comment by President Tinubu, describing opposition efforts as “a coalition of confused people,” while asserting that the APC remains focused and welcomes healthy political competition.
He also challenged the assumption that combining Atiku and Obi’s 2023 votes could overturn APC’s victory.
“The idea that Atiku and Obi’s combined figures can defeat our 8.4 million votes is a fantasy. That alliance won’t work,” he stated.
Breaking down the 2023 voter dynamics, Keyamo attributed Obi’s performance to three major factors: support from Christian voters, regional loyalty from the South-East, and the youth-driven “Obidient” movement. He predicted that at least two of these would weaken if Obi agrees to run as a vice-presidential candidate in 2027.
“If Obi is made a running mate, the Christian demographic may withdraw support. Besides, the President’s wife is a pastor, which already appeals to Christian voters,” he said.
Keyamo further predicted that the South-East would not rally behind Obi under Atiku’s leadership and claimed the youth would resist supporting an “80-year-old Muslim” presidential candidate.
“These parties can’t campaign with an octogenarian candidate and expect the youth to follow them,” he concluded.
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