Atiku / Obi Ticket Won’t Work for ADC,” Says Keyamo Ahead of 2027 Poll

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has dismissed the possibility of a successful presidential ticket between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party candidate Peter Obi running under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 elections.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Keyamo argued the coalition lacks the necessary demographic strength and structural support to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) effectively.

Keyamo’s Main Points:

• Electoral math failure: He stated that Obi’s strong showing in 2023 winning over six million votes—was driven by three factors that would be lost if he acquiesces as Atiku’s running mate: religion (Christian vote), ethnic identity (Igbo support), and youth enthusiasm (“Obidient” movement).

• Decline in Christian support: Keyamo claimed that many Christian voters will withdraw support if Obi takes the deputy slot to an 80-year-old Muslim presidential candidate.

• Inability to penetrate the North: He asserted that Peter Obi will struggle to secure votes in Nigeria’s northern states, where Tinubu and the APC maintain entrenched structures.Broader Context:

• The ADC coalition, formally backed by Atiku, Obi, and other opposition figures, aimed to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election bid. Analysts view Keyamo’s comments as reinforcing the APC position that southern opposition alliances are demographically vulnerable and organizationally weak.

Keyamo concluded that, while the alliance may create political noise and spur intense competition, it is unlikely to translate into a winning strategy in 2027.

This development intensifies the political calculus ahead of next year’s presidential election, spotlighting internal coalition dynamics and demographic calculations as key influencers in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.