Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has strongly criticised reports linking former President Goodluck Jonathan to an alleged 2027 presidential ticket being promoted by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the development as “bizarre comedy taken too far.”
In a statement shared via his X account on Sunday, Keyamo questioned attempts to associate Jonathan with a political group that he said lacks recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) expressed disappointment over what he described as efforts by some former political actors to involve the ex-president in what he termed a political charade.
According to Keyamo, it was absurd for individuals not officially recognised by INEC to claim they were offering a presidential ticket to a former president and respected statesman.
He argued that those behind the alleged arrangement appeared unconcerned about the consequences of dragging Jonathan into a political venture he described as having no clear future.
The minister further urged Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the claims in order to protect his reputation on the global stage.
Keyamo warned that failing to reject the purported nomination could reopen public debates surrounding the “clueless” label often used by critics of Jonathan’s administration before his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. He noted that Jonathan remains Nigeria’s first sitting president to lose a re-election bid.
The minister’s reaction followed claims by the faction of the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki that Jonathan had emerged as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The faction also alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration and security agencies attempted to frustrate its Special National Convention in Abuja, where the declaration was reportedly made.
However, INEC currently recognises the PDP National Working Committee headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed. The faction is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The PDP has continued to grapple with a prolonged leadership crisis, resulting in the emergence of rival factions. While the Turaki-led group enjoys the support of Bala Mohammed, the Wike-backed faction maintains control of the party structure recognised by INEC.