Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly reject a reported presidential nomination handed to him by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The minister argued that the group responsible for announcing Jonathan as its preferred candidate lacks official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising questions about the legitimacy of the move.
Growing Rift Within the PDP
The controversy emerged after a PDP faction headed by Tanimu Turaki reportedly declared Jonathan as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 election.
The announcement added another layer to the party’s internal divisions.
Earlier, a separate faction associated with supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had unveiled Sandy Onor as its own presidential candidate.
The competing declarations have highlighted deepening fractures within the opposition party as political positioning for the next presidential race begins to take shape.
Minister Dismisses Nomination as Political Theatre
Responding to the development through a post on X, Keyamo sharply criticised the nomination and those behind it, describing the situation as an unusual political spectacle.
According to him, it was troubling that individuals with previous experience in government were involved in what he portrayed as an unserious exercise.
He suggested that the episode had gone beyond ordinary political disagreement and entered the realm of absurdity.
Questions Raised Over Legitimacy
Keyamo further challenged the authority of the group behind the nomination, stressing that it does not appear among recognised political entities acknowledged by INEC.
He argued that offering a presidential ticket to a former head of state through an unofficial platform diminishes the seriousness of the political process.
The minister also expressed concern that Jonathan’s name was being linked to what he described as a venture lacking any realistic political foundation.
Call for Jonathan to Distance Himself
The aviation minister urged Jonathan to make his position clear without delay, insisting that silence could create unnecessary speculation.
Keyamo maintained that a public rejection of the nomination would help preserve the former president’s reputation both within Nigeria and internationally.
He also warned that failure to respond could revive political criticisms associated with Jonathan’s presidency and his 2015 electoral defeat.
Former President Yet to Respond
As debate continues over the competing PDP factions and their rival endorsements, Jonathan has not issued any public statement regarding the nomination announced by the Turaki-led group.
His silence has left political observers waiting to see whether he will accept, reject, or simply ignore the unexpected endorsement as discussions around the 2027 presidential contest continue to intensify.
