2027: PDP Taking Risk Banking on Jonathan, Obi – Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has cautioned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could face major setbacks in the 2027 presidential race if it relies on former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Anambra governor, Peter Obi, as its standard-bearer.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, Keyamo described the PDP’s current situation as “non-enviable,” arguing that the party was still paying for its refusal to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the South.

“In 2023, PDP lacked the balls to deliberately zone its Presidential ticket to the South, so it woefully lost its decades-long stranglehold on the S/South and S/East, the two of its most loyal regions since 1999,” he wrote.

According to the minister, although the PDP has now attempted to correct its past misstep by zoning the 2027 ticket to the South, choosing Jonathan could expose the party to legal and constitutional dangers.

“One of its attractive targets as a Presidential candidate is ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, because of his purported eligibility to run for only one term. But, if he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL by virtue of section 137 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (Fourth Amendment),” Keyamo stated.

He argued that while a 2015 court ruling had cleared Jonathan to contest then, the later constitutional amendment—which bars anyone sworn in twice as president from running again—could invalidate his candidacy if challenged in court.

“All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court. If he is barred from running AFTER nominations have closed and the PDP is declared as having no candidate, nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it,” he warned.

Keyamo also dismissed the viability of the PDP producing a strong candidate from the South-West, saying such a flagbearer would not gain broad support and would face formidable competition from the APC.

“If the PDP decides to field its most attractive S/West candidate, no other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate who would be eligible for fresh two terms in office. And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the S/West,” he noted.

On Peter Obi, who ran under the Labour Party in 2023, Keyamo argued that his possible return to the PDP would damage his credibility and alienate a portion of his support base.

“If the PDP woos back Peter Obi, scenario three above will still apply to him, hence all his shout of serving one-term of recent. In addition, the principled ones amongst the ‘obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit of ‘structure of criminality’ and may not be too vociferous in their support anymore,” he said.

The minister concluded that the PDP’s woes were rooted in its “original sin” of ignoring zoning in 2023, insisting that zoning sentiments remain a critical factor in Nigerian politics.

“The young social media warriors may lampoon anyone talking about these zoning sentiments, but that is the REALITY of our politics and it is not about to end. EXCEPT something EXTRAORDINARY happens, the Party may have to wait till 2031,” Keyamo declared.