The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against fielding either former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Anambra State governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections, warning of serious political and constitutional repercussions.
In a lengthy statement posted to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Keyamo claimed the opposition party remains in a “non-enviable position” due to its failure to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the South — a move he said cost the PDP substantial support in its traditional strongholds of the South-South and South-East.
According to Keyamo, any attempt to nominate Jonathan again would pose a constitutional dilemma, citing Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which he said may disqualify anyone who has already been sworn in twice as President from contesting a third time.
“If he is fielded, the party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” Keyamo warned. He explained that the legal implications of such a move would ultimately be determined by the Supreme Court, not public opinion or online commentary.
“The constitutional amendment was made after the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment. Hence, I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly,” he wrote.
Keyamo further emphasised that if Jonathan is disqualified after nomination deadlines close, and the PDP ends up without a valid candidate, the party would have only itself to blame.
“Nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it,” he stated.
Turning his focus to other potential candidates, Keyamo dismissed the viability of a South-West flagbearer, arguing that the region is unlikely to garner broad national support for another Yoruba president eligible for two fresh terms.
“If the PDP decides to field its most attractive South-West candidate, no other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate. And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the South-West. You need a majority of at least three to four regions in Nigeria to win the Presidency,” he added.
As for former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Keyamo suggested that his entry into the PDP would do little to solve the party’s internal challenges. He raised doubts about Obi’s consistency and appeal among his core supporters, commonly referred to as the “Obidients”.
“The principled ones amongst the ‘Obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit … and may not be too vociferous in their support anymore,” Keyamo argued, referring to Obi’s prior departure from the PDP in the lead-up to the 2023 elections.
In conclusion, Keyamo blamed the PDP’s woes on what he called the “original sin” of failing to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a move he said alienated critical voter bases and destabilised internal party cohesion.
“The young social media warriors may lampoon anyone talking about these zoning sentiments, but that is the REALITY of our politics,” he said. “Unless something EXTRAORDINARY happens, the party may have to wait till 2031.”
As of the time of writing, the PDP has not issued a formal response to Keyamo’s remarks.
