Nigeria's political landscape is heating up ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a fresh controversy ignited by a minister's social media post. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has made a cryptic claim suggesting that a prominent political aspirant has already agreed to serve as a vice-presidential candidate.
Keyamo's Cryptic Accusation on Social Media
On Monday, December 29, 2025, Keyamo took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle to launch a veiled attack. He did not name the individual but implied the person was struggling to justify the decision to their supporters. Keyamo wrote that the aspirant knows the primary election of an opposition party "has long been concluded."
In his post, the minister stated, "Finally, the chicken is coming home to roost: I understand that someone, somewhere has drafted and redrafted the statement he will release to hoodwink his ‘supporters’ on why he has accepted to be Vice-Presidential candidate after a primaries that he knows has long been concluded."
He further mocked the supposed draft statement, describing it as containing the "normal gibberish of ‘my desire to rescue Nigeria’." Keyamo concluded by inviting users to bookmark the tweet to later read the eventual statement "with some derision."
Immediate Backlash from Opposition Figures
The minister's post triggered swift and sharp reactions from opposition camps, particularly from allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and supporters of Peter Obi.
Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, fired back on X. He accused Keyamo of intellectual bankruptcy, writing, "When argument fails, ridicule becomes the refuge of the intellectually bankrupt." Shaibu suggested the attack stemmed from fear of the opposition's strength.
Similarly, Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku, delivered a scathing response. He labeled Keyamo a "Data Minister" preoccupied with tweets while neglecting his aviation portfolio. Ibe referenced a recent incident where a ground crew damaged an Air Peace plane, linking it to ministerial negligence. He urged Keyamo to focus on his job and discontinue his "juvenile rants."
Context: Peter Obi's Stance and ADC Speculations
Keyamo's post comes amid intense speculation about the political moves of Peter Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate. Reports from outlets like The Punch and Business Day on December 28 suggested Obi had finalised plans to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and hold a declaration rally in Enugu on December 31.
However, this social media drama unfolded just a day after Obi himself made a definitive statement. During an X Spaces conversation on Sunday, December 28, Obi categorically stated he would not be anybody’s running mate in the 2027 election.
"I am not travelling round the world to learn governance to be Vice President," Obi declared. "I know how to turn Nigeria around. I built my business from scratch and have more experience than any candidate... Peter Obi will be on the ballot in 2027."
His supporters, known as 'Obidients', echoed this sentiment online. One user, @PO_GrassRootM, asserted, "Peter Obi will be on the ballot as Presidential candidate not vice presidential candidate." Another, @heisizumichaels, contrasted Obi's achievements with Keyamo's career.
The 2027 elections, where Nigerians will elect the president, vice president, National Assembly members, and state officials, are already shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle of narratives. Keyamo's allegation, though unsubstantiated with names, has successfully stirred the pot, forcing reactions and highlighting the early jostling for position within the opposition ranks.
