Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against presenting former President Goodluck Jonathan or former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Keyamo argued that the PDP is still grappling with the fallout of failing to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South an oversight he claims alienated crucial support in the South-South and South-East.
Citing Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Keyamo suggested that fielding Jonathan could lead to legal complications, as the former president has already been sworn in twice.
“If he is fielded, the party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” he wrote, warning the issue could reach the Supreme Court.
Although a court once cleared Jonathan to contest in 2015, Keyamo argued that a later constitutional amendment may now disqualify him. He cautioned that if PDP proceeds and Jonathan is later disqualified, the party could be left without a candidate.
“Nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it,” he added.
Keyamo also dismissed the viability of a South-West PDP candidate, claiming such a candidate would struggle to gain traction beyond the region, especially given the APC’s dominance there.
“You need a majority of at least three to four regions to win the presidency,” he noted.
On Peter Obi, Keyamo argued that his potential return to the PDP wouldn’t resolve the party’s internal issues. He questioned Obi’s credibility and referenced his previous promise to serve only one term if elected.
“The principled ones among the ‘Obidients’ may see him as going back to his vomit and may not be as vocal in their support,” he said.
Keyamo concluded that the PDP’s ongoing struggles stem from its failure to zone the 2023 ticket to the South. Without major changes, he predicted the party might not mount a serious presidential challenge until 2031.
As of now, the PDP has not issued a response to Keyamo’s remarks.
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