Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed the viability of a potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Keyamo said the ticket is destined to fail due to what he described as the collapse of the demographic momentum that powered Obi’s 2023 run.
According to Keyamo, Peter Obi’s popularity in the last election was built on three major demographic forces which no longer align, especially if he is made a running mate in any alliance rather than the lead candidate.
“They are going nowhere in terms of demography,” he said of the proposed Atiku-Obi alliance. “I like what is happening; they are putting us on our toes, and it’s going to make us work harder, but the numbers are not looking good for them.”
Keyamo argued that the much-touted ADC coalition strategy is flawed and unlikely to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC), which secured over eight million votes in 2023. He claimed the trio of factors that propelled Obi’s support base; religion, regional sentiment, and youth activism—will no longer function cohesively in 2027.
“In 2023, Peter Obi benefited from a unique convergence. He was the only Christian among top contenders, which consolidated the Christian vote. He also got massive support from the South-East, which felt marginalized and saw hope in an Igbo presidency. Lastly, he enjoyed overwhelming support from young, angry Nigerians, the Obidients, who were eager for a younger, fresher face,” Keyamo said.
Read Also:
- From Obasanjo to Obi: The ADC’s long road to relevance
- Yashikira District in Kwara dumps PDP for ADC
- ADC is here to make you happy, Amaechi tells supporters
The minister argued that those forces will collapse if Obi is made a running mate in any future alliance, particularly one led by Atiku Abubakar. “You can’t expect those same people to rally around him again under those circumstances,” he stated.
Keyamo also emphasized the enduring strength of President Bola Tinubu and the APC, particularly in the northern region. He highlighted the party’s expansive political infrastructure as a decisive advantage in future elections.
“If you put Peter Obi as the presidential candidate this time, he still won’t break into the North. We have the structures, the governors, and the political machinery firmly rooted in the North. The APC remains dominant,” he asserted.
The growing speculation around a possible Atiku-Obi merger under the ADC banner has sparked widespread conversation ahead of 2027, but Keyamo’s remarks may reignite debate over whether opposition alliances can truly mount a credible challenge to the ruling APC, particularly in regions where the party retains deep electoral influence.
