Why Nigerians won’t vote ‘fresh’ Yoruba candidate in 2027 — Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that Nigerians will reject any attempt by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present a fresh Yoruba presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

Keyamo, in a post on his X handle on Sunday, argued that no region outside the South-West would support a candidate who is constitutionally eligible to serve two full terms.

“If the PDP decides to field its most attractive S/West candidate, no other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate who would be eligible for fresh two terms in office. 

“And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the S/West. You need a majority of at least 3 to 4 regions in Nigeria to win the Presidency.”

The minister said the PDP has been weakened by its refusal to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a move he described as the party’s “original sin.” 

According to him, that decision cost the opposition bloc valuable support in the South-South and South-East.

He further noted that without a clear zoning strategy, the PDP risks repeating its mistakes and should not expect to make any serious impact in 2027.

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Keyamo added that unless “something EXTRAORDINARY happens,” the opposition may have to wait until 2031 before standing a real chance at the presidency.

He also cautioned the PDP against fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in 2027, warning that the move could jeopardise the party’s chances.

According to him, presenting Jonathan would pose a constitutional threat under section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which could disqualify anyone who has been sworn in twice as president from contesting again.

“If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” he wrote, warning that any challenge would end up before the Supreme Court.

“The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.

“If he is barred from running AFTER nominations have closed and the PDP is declared as having no candidate, nobody should scream ‘judiciary is corrupt’ because such a large party saw the judicial danger ahead and deliberately ignored it.”

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