ADC’s Coalition Has Boosted APC’s Strength Ahead of 2027 General Elections — Festus Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become significantly stronger due to the recent coalition movement into the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Keyamo described this development as a major turning point that has fortified the APC as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Keyamo made this assertion via his verified X platform (formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday. He highlighted that under Nigerian law, it is prohibited for individuals to simultaneously associate with more than one political party. According to him, the public declaration of allegiance to the ADC amounts to an obvious abandonment of their former political affiliations.

“The law clearly states that membership of two political parties is grounds for disqualification from contesting in an election,” Keyamo emphasized.

The minister further explained that the ADC’s present configuration represents what he termed the “formal disintegration” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once regarded as Nigeria’s strongest opposition party. In his view, the PDP has been weakened as older party leaders have been displaced by younger figures who have seized control within the party.

Keyamo remarked that the recent gathering of political figures consisted predominantly of individuals with former ties to the PDP, characterizing it as a faction led by Atiku Abubakar in pursuit of the 2027 presidential ticket.

“Today’s assembly was simply a coalition of former PDP stalwarts searching for relevance. At the core, it is Atiku’s wing of the PDP striving for the 2027 presidential candidacy — nothing more, nothing less,” he posted.

Moreover, Keyamo observed that some members of the new coalition include ex-APC members who had either opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the last election or failed to secure victories in their constituencies during the 2023 polls. He stressed that their defection would not weaken the APC in any way.

“On the contrary, this is advantageous for the APC because it is akin to removing the parasite that was causing internal harm,” Keyamo stated.

He also alleged that the so-called old political strategists within the PDP intend to leverage Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to garner votes without offering him the presidential ticket. He referred to the coalition as merely an “Atiku-driven agenda.”

“If Peter Obi isn’t given the presidential ticket, his supporters will be alienated — it’s as simple as that. How can you justify making someone who won two regions — the South-East and South-South — play second fiddle as a running mate to a candidate who secured only the North-East?” Keyamo queried.

In his conclusion, Keyamo predicted that by the time the situation unfolds fully, the PDP and Labour Party would have suffered losses, the ADC would gain little of substance, and the APC would remain unaffected.

“Since the 2023 polls, APC has continued to grow stronger, while the opposition camps have become divided and increasingly fragile,” Keyamo maintained.

“When you compare those who have joined the APC — governors, senators, and House of Representatives members — with the few who have exited, the APC undoubtedly stands stronger. That is the key point in all of this analysis,” he explained.

Finally, Keyamo called on Nigerians to respect the constitutional rights of opposition members to associate freely, while the APC-led government remains focused on delivering good governance.