Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed the prospects of a proposed political alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that such a coalition would be ineffective and politically self-defeating.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Keyamo argued that the coalition, reportedly involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), lacks the electoral strength to pose a serious challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He specifically warned that Obi’s political momentum from the 2023 election would dissipate if he agrees to run as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate.
“In 2027, what they are working on is to bring Peter Obi and Atiku together to join those numbers and beat our over eight million votes,” Keyamo said. “Let me tell you why it is wrong. If you make Peter Obi the deputy to Atiku, three demographic factors that delivered votes to Obi in 2023 will collapse.”
Keyamo pointed out that Obi benefited in 2023 from support across three key demographics: Christian voters, southeast regional loyalty, and young Nigerians dissatisfied with the older political class. According to him, these groups would likely disengage if Obi plays a secondary role on a joint ticket with Atiku.
“The other candidates were Muslims, and so there was only one Christian candidate. The Christians went to one candidate,” Keyamo explained. “The southeast felt cheated, so they rallied around the Igbo candidate. And then the Obidients—young Nigerians who felt they were angry—they wanted a younger person.”
In the 2023 presidential race, Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 6,984,520 votes, while Obi garnered 6,101,533 votes, finishing third. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC emerged victorious with 8,794,726 votes.
Keyamo further argued that Obi lacks the political infrastructure to make significant inroads in the north, where the APC continues to dominate. “If you put Peter Obi this time as president, he cannot penetrate the north. We have our structures in the north—we have governors, senators,” he said.
He also dismissed the ADC’s role in the proposed coalition, calling it electorally insignificant. “They are going nowhere in terms of demography. I like what is happening; they are putting us on our toes. It is going to make us work harder, but the numbers are not looking good for them.”
As Nigeria begins to pivot toward the 2027 elections, the debate over potential alliances and political strategies is already gaining momentum. However, Keyamo’s comments highlight the skepticism within APC ranks about the viability of any opposition merger involving Obi and Atiku.