The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has downplayed the potential impact of an alliance between opposition leaders Peter Obi (Labour Party) and Atiku Abubakar (PDP), arguing that demographic and ideological fault lines would undermine any combined challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Televisionโs Sunday Politics, monitored by Spear News, Keyamo described the proposed merger as politically unsustainable, insisting it posed no credible threat to the APCโs dominance.
The minister said: “I will tell you something , this so-called ADC they are forming, whoever they bringโฆ I want to give you small expo. What they are working on is to bring Peter Obi and Atiku together and join those numbers to beat our 8.4 million votes”.
โThere were three demographics that delivered Peter Obiโs 6 million votes in 2023. First, the Christian demographics, they supported him because he was the only Christian candidate. If he becomes deputy to Atiku, they will pull out. Second, the South-East felt cheated, so they supported Obi. This group will also pull out. Third, the young generation, they wanted change and a younger person. Peter Obi represented that. If he becomes Atikuโs deputy, it all collapses,โ Keyamo argued.
Dismissing claims of Christian voting bloc resistance, Keyamo argued: “No problem. But donโt forget that the President has a wife who is a pastor, so some of that Christian demographics will be slashed to increase our votes.โ
He also argued that the South-East would not be enthusiastic about voting for โan 80-year-old Muslim candidate,โ indirectly referring to Atiku.
Festus Keyamo dismissed the idea of Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar teaming up for the 2027 elections. He said Atiku can’t be vice president again after serving two terms, and Obi wouldn’t gain enough support in the North.
Keyamo stressed that the APC remains strong in the North, with governors, senators, and party structures securing its dominance. He denied claims that Buhari’s previous 12 million Northern votes are gone, insisting the party still holds sway in the region.
The minister reminded the host that he was a former APC presidential campaign spokesperson and he has never failed in his history of political predictions.
โDo not forget I have been a spokesman to two presidents and I know the demography very well. Go and play my tapes. I told you exactly what was going to happen in 2019, in 2023. You can call me Nostradamus.โ, he said.
While admitting the APC must work hard, Keyamo welcomed the challenge from the opposition.
โWe are going to work hard. This is not a game of chest-beating. We like what is happening, they are putting us on our toes,โ the Minister stated.
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