The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ridiculed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the defection of Peter Obi, saying the party handled him like a relationship that never offered commitment.
Keyamo made the comments on Thursday, May 7, while reacting to Obi’s exit from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a statement, he described himself as “interfering in what does not concern me,” before launching into a lengthy analogy comparing the political situation to a failed romantic relationship.
“A bachelor loves a young, beautiful woman so much and thinks she’s actually the best of his girlfriends, but refuses to assure her she’d be the first wife. He proposes to keep her as second wife or side-chick,” Keyamo wrote.
He said the situation changed when the “woman,” recognising her worth, left for a suitor who immediately offered full commitment, while the “bachelor” reacted angrily afterwards.
“The beautiful woman, who knows her worth, has no time to waste waiting for this bachelor and walks away quietly to another suitor who knows her worth and assures her instantly she’d be the first wife.
“Haba! bachelor, why not just stick with your other woman and let her be? This is just the case of Peter Obi and the ADC.”
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Keyamo’s analogy cast Obi as the political figure who left a party unable to guarantee him a presidential ticket, while the ADC was portrayed as the indecisive suitor.
First Daily recalls that Obi had on Saturday announced his resignation from the ADC, citing prolonged internal disputes and legal battles within the party as key reasons for his decision.
In his statement, Obi said the move followed deep reflection on Nigeria’s situation and the need to contribute to national recovery, rather than personal ambition or anger.
He compared his exit to his earlier departure from the Labour Party, saying persistent internal crises and litigation had been used to frustrate his political participation.
Obi also thanked the ADC leadership, including David Mark, for the opportunity to serve, and acknowledged support from Atiku Abubakar and other political actors.
He warned that weakening opposition parties would hurt Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that the country was already under pressure from insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
His exit, alongside that of Rabiu Kwankwaso, has triggered wider political realignments, including defections by lawmakers to the NDC.