Festus Keyamo Slams 'Storm in a Teacup' Opposition Coalition Against President Tinubu in 2027
Opposition Coalition Plans Labelled 'Impossible' by Keyamo
In a candid chat on Channels Television's Politics Today, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has brushed off the idea of a political coalition unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, labelling such efforts as a "storm in a teacup."
Taking the stage, Keyamo was quick to express his disappointment over the hype surrounding the potential opposition coalition, led by figures such as Labour Party chieftain Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
While acknowledging the esteem of these political players, Keyamo adamantly dismissed the claims of a looming political challenge against Tinubu's administration.
Our sources report that Keyamo's comments have been met with mixed reactions. While some opposition figures, like Baba-Ahmed, have accused the Tinubu administration of "widespread rot" and urged Nigerians to consider other options for 2027, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shown varying degrees of support for a potential coalition.
However, the idea has not been wholeheartedly embraced, with several PDP governors expressing skepticism or outright opposition to the concept. Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, for instance, has famously referred to the coalition talks as "a dead horse" and a "waste of time."
When asked whether the APC could withstand the alleged political "tsunami" being organized against it, Keyamo remained unconvinced, suggesting that the coalition discussions were either ill-timed or misguided.
"There are two different things they are talking about - a merger or an alliance. They should be very clear. If it's a merger, forget it, because it's too late to start a merger now," Keyamo pointed out, emphasizing the challenges associated with registering a new party and establishing a coalition in time for the 2027 elections.
In a candid reflection on the historical context, Keyamo shared how President Tinubu had initiated merger talks with then-General Muhammadu Buhari after the 2011 elections, a process that took years of negotiations and back-and-forth meetings before the formation of the APC.
"The moment we lost the 2011 elections, Tinubu flew to Kaduna and met General (Muhammadu) Buhari. It was a long process before the APC was birthed. These people (current coalition proponents) are not experienced enough," Keyamo concluded, highlighting Tinubu's political savvy.
What's your take on this unfolding political drama? Will the opposition coalition truly pose a threat to President Tinubu, or is it merely a "storm in a teacup"? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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- Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has dismissed the potential opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, terming it a "storm in a teacup."
- Keyamo's remarks have garnered mixed reactions, with some opposition figures, such as Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, accusing the Tinubu administration of widespread rot, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shown varying degrees of support for a potential coalition.
- However, several PDP governors have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the idea, with former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose famously referring to the coalition talks as a "dead horse" and a "waste of time."
- In response to questions about the APC's ability to withstand a political "tsunami" being organized against it, Keyamo remained unconvinced, suggesting that the coalition discussions were either ill-timed or misguided.
- Keyamo pointed out the complexity of initiating a merger or an alliance at this point, citing the challenges associated with registering a new party and establishing a coalition in time for the 2027 elections.
- He shared how President Tinubu had initiated merger talks with then-General Muhammadu Buhari after the 2011 elections, a process that took years of negotiations and back-and-forth meetings before the formation of the APC.
- Keyamo concluded by implying that the coalition proponents lack the political experience of Tinubu, highlighted by his strategic 2011 talks with Buhari that eventually led to the formation of the APC.
