The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised some journalists and opposition figures, accusing them of projecting their personal opinions as the collective voice of Nigerians.
In a post shared on X on Thursday, Keyamo described the trend as “amusing,” questioning how certain commentators and self-styled activists arrive at conclusions they claim represent “the Nigerian people.”
“It is amusing to see how some journalists and core opposition characters, posing as ‘activists’, continually express their own deep-seated biases as the wishes of ‘the Nigerian people’. How and where did they aggregate the views of ‘the Nigerian people’?” he wrote.
The minister challenged the basis upon which such individuals measure public opinion, asking whether their claims stem from “the usual suspects who gather at the entrance of the National Assembly and pose for cameras,” or from the minority of lawmakers who voted against the majority during recent legislative decisions.
He cited instances where 15 senators opposed a majority of 94, and fewer than 25 members of the House of Representatives walked out against over 300 colleagues. He also referenced what he described as a vocal minority on television and social media platforms.
“Or those who gather under the comment section on social media and vent their spleen, just how did they aggregate the views of ‘the Nigerian people’?” he queried.
Keyamo urged Nigerians to remain vigilant as the country approaches another election cycle, warning that some media commentators and activists may have undisclosed political affiliations.
“Nigerians should be alert as we enter an election season. Some journalists and almost every so-called ‘neutral’ commentator or activist you see or hear in the media are all working for one interest or the other,” he said.
According to him, such individuals often avoid openly declaring their political preferences. “They just don’t have the guts to come out with their full chest to openly support the political party or candidate for which or whom they are working,” he added.
The minister’s remarks come amid intense public debate over the recently amended Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday after its passage by the National Assembly.
In the Senate, 65 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill while 15 opposed it. In the House of Representatives, 292 members approved the legislation, with 24 voting against it and a few staging a walkout during deliberations.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have criticised certain provisions of the amended Act, particularly those relating to the electronic transmission of election results. They argue that the changes could undermine electoral transparency and potentially favour the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Observers note that while the debate has been heated, it has largely been driven by a relatively small but vocal segment of political actors and commentators, a development that has further fuelled arguments over who truly speaks for Nigerians.
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