Keyamo Knocks Atiku’s New Party, Calls It Disappointing Anti Climax

Eshiorameh Sebastian, Abuja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has dismissed the ongoing registration of a new political party as mere hype, denying claims that it represents a significant coalition akin to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

In a strongly worded statement on X account, Keyamo described the development as “an unnecessary hype” and “psychological warfare on Nigerians,” insisting that no recognised political parties are involved in the process.

“This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a ‘coalition’ here,” Keyamo stated. “It is an unnecessary hype the promoters have been struggling to create all along; it is just a psychological warfare on Nigerians, a weak attempt at mass appeal.”

He further mocked comparisons to the historic merger that birthed the APC in 2013, calling the current effort “a pedestrian joke” and “a complete mockery” of the seismic political realignment that brought opposition parties together a decade ago.

Keyamo emphasized that the move merely represents a few individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a political association, not a merger of existing parties.

“A few individuals exercising their constitutional right to form a new political party cannot be described as a ‘coalition’ or even a ‘merger,’” he said. “This is not different from several political associations springing up every day for the same purpose.”

The minister concluded by labeling the entire process a “disappointing anti-climax” after what he called excessive “pomp and pageantry” by its promoters.

The National Opposition Coalition Group, spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday formally submitted an application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

The application, dated 19 June and acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signals the coalition’s intent to launch a fresh political platform rather than joining an existing party. Key political figures backing the ADA include former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo.