|By Adejumo Adekunle-
-APC not threatened, PDP dismembered by new alliance – Aviation Minister
-Insists ADC move exposes 2027 desperation by Atiku faction
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described the coalition of political figures under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as “illegal,” insisting that belonging to more than one political party contravenes Nigerian electoral law.
Keyamo made the assertion on Wednesday via his official handle on X, shortly after the ADC formally unveiled its new coalition of high-profile politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark.
According to the minister, the gathering at the ADC is “a desperate search for a 2027 presidential ticket,” particularly by what he calls the “Atiku faction” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many of whom, he argued, have lost influence within the party.
“By law, you cannot operate from, or belong to, two or multiple political parties,” Keyamo said. “Their open declaration for ADC today is a clear abandonment of their previous parties. Belonging to two political parties is a ground for disqualification in an election.”
He claimed the defection marked the formal collapse of the PDP, describing the party’s former heavyweights now in ADC as “former this and former that” — politicians who, according to him, no longer wield power in their original parties.
Keyamo also played down the significance of defectors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) joining the ADC coalition, noting that they had earlier worked against President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.
“Their movement takes nothing away from the APC. It is actually better… just a case of totally extracting the germ that was eating the cola nut from within,” he added.
He further alleged that the coalition leaders are scheming to use Peter Obi’s popularity without giving him the 2027 presidential ticket.
“They want his votes, but don’t want to give him their presidential ticket. This is Atiku’s show simpliciter. That is why David Mark is the interim chairman.”
Keyamo questioned the logic of making Obi, who won the South-East and South-South regions in 2023, a running mate to a candidate who only secured the North-East.
The minister concluded that the development neither harms the APC nor strengthens the opposition. Instead, he believes it reaffirms the ruling party’s dominance.
“PDP and the Labour Party have lost something, the ADC have only gained something like a caricature, but the APC has lost absolutely nothing.”
ADC coalition unveils heavyweight politicians
The coalition’s unveiling saw the attendance of notable political figures from various parties and regions. Those present included:
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Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola
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Former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun
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Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami
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Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
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Ex-Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalong
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PDP chieftain and media mogul, Dele Momodu
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Labour Party’s Senator Ireti Kingibe
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Former Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha
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Retired Air Marshal and ex-Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar
The gathering marks a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, but the legal and political implications of cross-party declarations remain to be tested.
