The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over its decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single term.
In a statement shared on his X account, Keyamo described the arrangement as misleading, warning Nigerians not to be swayed by what he portrayed as a political strategy lacking credibility.
He said the proposal brought back memories of the commitment made by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 to serve only one full term.
The minister argued that there was no certainty such an agreement would be honoured if a southern candidate eventually wins the presidency.
According to him, party leaders could easily overturn the decision, stressing that the move signals desperation within opposition ranks ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Keyamo also dismissed the arrangement as impractical, branding it “political 419”.
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He wrote, “THE NDC AND ITS ‘419’ DECISION.
“The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians. It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit.”
Continuing, he said, “So, what happens if Peter Obi changes his Party, assuming he wins, or as leader of the NDC he gets the NEC of the Party to reverse the decision, if in the unlikely event he wins?
“This is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians; it smacks of outright desperation and actually accentuates the dilemma of the opposition a whole in the 2027 Presidential elections.
“It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419.”
His reaction follows the outcome of the NDC National Convention held on Saturday, where delegates endorsed a proposal to restrict the party’s presidential ticket to southern aspirants for a single four year term.
The motion was introduced by Afam Victor Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, before it was adopted by party delegates.
In addition, the party resolved that after the proposed tenure, the presidential ticket would revert to the North.