Keyamo blasts “turncoat” VP choice as Peter Obi clarifies role in ADC coalition

A political firestorm erupted on Monday as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, took to social media to mock an unnamed political figure for allegedly accepting a vice-presidential slot under questionable circumstances.

The Minister’s remarks come amid shifting alliances within Nigeria’s opposition, particularly involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

In a pointed post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Keyamo suggested that a prominent politician is currently struggling to frame a narrative for his supporters after allegedly agreeing to be a running mate well after the conclusion of party primaries.

“Finally, the chicken is coming home to roost: I understand that someone, somewhere has drafted and redrafted the statement he will release to hoodwink his ‘supporters’ on why he has accepted to be Vice-Presidential candidate after a primaries that he knows has long been concluded,” Keyamo wrote.

The Minister further dismissed the anticipated explanations from this mystery figure as insincere “gibberish,” vowing that the upcoming campaign season would expose political opportunism.

“He has written and torn drafts upon drafts, containing the normal gibberish of ‘my desire to rescue Nigeria’, bla, bla bla. It’s a tough one for him, but we are excited at the prospect of unmasking a true turncoat and a fraud at the coming campaigns,” the minister added.

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Keyamo’s jabs appear to coincide with widespread reports that Peter Obi—the 2019 running mate to Atiku Abubakar—is set to formally align with a coalition backed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). While rumors suggested a “formal joining” ceremony was slated for Wednesday, December 31, Obi has moved to clarify his status.

During an X Space session on Sunday, Obi pushed back against the narrative that he is a newcomer to the ADC or the coalition. He insisted that his involvement has been consistent from the start, rather than a recent defection.

“I am not joining ADC. I can’t re-join what I am already a part of,” Obi stated.

Expanding on the collaborative nature of the opposition’s current strategy, he added: “I’ve been part of the coalition from day one. Nobody is stepping down for me in ADC. We have all agreed to work together.”

Despite the friction created by these new political alignments, Obi took the opportunity to address his current relationship with his former principal, Atiku Abubakar. He dismissed any talk of a rift, maintaining a tone of personal and professional respect for the former Vice President.

“Atiku remains my respected leader,” Obi said, further describing the elder statesman as “an elder brother” whom he continues to hold in high regard.

As the December 31 deadline for the rumored coalition announcement approaches, the verbal sparring between the ruling administration and opposition figures suggests an increasingly heated lead-up to the next electoral cycle.

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