A heated social media exchange between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the National Spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has dominated political discourse, centering on the recent defection of former presidential candidate Peter Obi to the ADC.
The Twitter War: Accusations and Counterclaims
The controversy ignited after Festus Keyamo took to his X handle on January 2, 2026, to level serious allegations. He accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of orchestrating a deceptive political arrangement with Peter Obi. Keyamo claimed the plan was designed to harvest votes in a manner that could undermine Nigeria's fragile unity.
In his post, Keyamo alleged that Atiku aimed to "camouflage with Obi" to secure his votes and become president on a "flawed template." He further asserted that Peter Obi was complicit for "selfish reasons," willing to "throw the entire country under the bus" merely for a vice-presidential ticket.
Bolaji Abdullahi swiftly responded, urging the minister to exercise restraint. He dismissed Keyamo's comments as premature and founded on a flawed understanding of zoning and power rotation in Nigerian politics. Abdullahi penned a lengthy rebuttal, recalling internal debates within the All Progressives Congress (APC) itself, particularly around the zoning of the Senate President position after the 2015 elections.
He argued that the ruling party had frequently disregarded zoning when it suited its political objectives. Abdullahi also accused the APC of actively weakening national cohesion by presenting a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 election, despite its professed commitment to unity and balance.
Political Players Weigh In: SWAGA Confidence and LP Liberation
Amidst the online spat, other political figures offered their perspectives on the implications of Obi's move. Bosun Oladele, the National Secretary of the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), expressed a lack of concern. He stated that President Bola Tinubu had already made significant inroads into the South-East geopolitical zone.
Oladele confidently asserted that Obi's presence in the ADC would not affect Tinubu's prospects in the region ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. He further claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is the primary financier and owner of the ADC, funding it in a bid to secure its presidential ticket for 2027.
From the Labour Party, a contrasting narrative emerged. The factional National Chairman, Julius Abure, declared that the defection of Peter Obi had finally broken the "shackles of bondage" holding the party down for over a year. Abure made this declaration in his New Year message to party members, referencing the December 31, 2025, incident in Enugu as a turning point.
He described 2025 as a year of mixed feelings where his leadership overcame distractions from within the party. Abure maintained that the Labour Party remains in coalition with Nigerians and is the best alternative for achieving a prosperous nation.
Background and Electoral Context
Peter Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the then relatively unknown LP. In that contest, he secured over six million votes to finish as the second runner-up, a performance that reshaped Nigeria's political landscape. His latest move to the ADC is seen as a major realignment ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The public clash between a sitting minister and the spokesman of an opposition party, coupled with the confident dismissals from pro-government groups and claims of liberation from the LP, sets the stage for a fiercely contested political season leading to 2027.
