Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused Peter Obi of misleading his followers by pretending to seek the 2027 presidency while secretly agreeing to run as Atiku Abubakar’s vice-presidential candidate.
Keyamo made the claim shortly after Obi announced his move from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a political gathering in Enugu. He said Obi sold false hope to supporters by presenting the defection as a presidential ambition, even though, according to him, the deal was already settled.
In a post on X, Keyamo said Obi joined what he described as a party controlled by Atiku, insisting the move was part of a planned arrangement for Obi to become a vice-presidential candidate.
He accused Obi of taking supporters on what he called an emotional journey, only to abandon them at the last moment. Keyamo said Obi should openly admit the political deal instead of dressing it up as a principled decision.
According to the minister, many of Obi’s supporters would feel betrayed once the ADC completes its primaries and unveils him as Atiku’s running mate. He said Obi’s character deserved public examination because of his ambition for high office.
Keyamo also dismissed claims that the APC-led Tinubu government felt threatened by Obi’s defection. He said the ruling party would openly challenge its opponents and allow Nigerians to judge all sides.
He further mocked Obi’s earlier claims of winning the 2023 presidential election, describing it as ironic for someone who claimed victory to now seek a vice-presidential slot under a candidate he once said he defeated.
Keyamo warned that both Obi and Atiku were heading for defeat in 2027, saying they misread Nigeria’s political and demographic realities. He promised to explain his position further as the election approaches.
