Keyamo Accuses Atiku, David Mark of Plotting to Use and Dump Peter Obi in ADC Coalition

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has alleged that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark are attempting to exploit the political popularity of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, within the newly unveiled African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.

TJ News Nigeria reports that Keyamo made the claims via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle shortly after the opposition coalition was launched, warning that the alliance may be using Obi as a political pawn in the run-up to the 2027 elections.

“Old, Cunning Guards Want Obi’s Votes, Not His Candidacy” — Keyamo

According to the minister, the real motive behind the formation of the ADC-led opposition is to leverage Obi’s support base while denying him the presidential ticket.

 

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“The person whom the old, cunning guards want to take for a ride in all of this is Peter Obi. They want his votes, but don’t want to give him their Presidential ticket, because this is Atiku’s show simpliciter. That is why David Mark is the interim chairman,” Keyamo wrote.

The Aviation Minister argued that without Obi as the coalition’s flagbearer, the alliance risks alienating millions of his core supporters, especially in the South-East and South-South regions, where Obi won during the 2023 presidential election.

“If you do not give Peter Obi the Presidential ticket, you lose his supporters. It is as simple as that,” he added.

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Keyamo further questioned the logic of making Obi a running mate to Atiku, stating:

“How can you make someone who won two regions in the last election (South‑East and South‑South) a running mate to the person who won only one region (North‑East)?”

ADC Coalition a PDP Faction in Disguise — Keyamo

Describing the ADC as “Atiku’s faction of the PDP,” Keyamo dismissed the coalition as lacking genuine ideological cohesion. He claimed it comprises disaffected APC members, election losers, and Atiku loyalists, all seeking a fresh path to power.

“This is just Atiku’s faction of PDP in desperate search for the 2027 presidential ticket—nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

 

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He noted that several participants in the coalition had either opposed President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 polls or had fallen out of favor within the APC after failing to secure elective positions.

Legal Red Flags Over Dual Party Allegiances

Keyamo also raised constitutional concerns, cautioning that allowing politicians to belong to two political parties simultaneously could amount to an electoral violation.

“Politicians in the coalition belonging to two political parties is a ground for disqualification in an election,” he warned.

ADC Launch Features Key Opposition Figures

TJ News Nigeria learned that the ADC was formally unveiled as the new platform for a unified opposition front on Tuesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. Those in attendance included:

• Atiku Abubakar
• Peter Obi
• Nasir El-Rufai
• Rotimi Amaechi
• David Mark (appointed interim National Chairman)
• Rauf Aregbesola (appointed interim National Secretary)

The coalition aims to present a joint presidential candidate and establish itself as a formidable third force ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Political Implications Ahead of 2027

Political analysts say the tension surrounding ticket allocation in the new alliance may test the internal unity and strategic viability of the ADC coalition. Keyamo’s comments also reflect growing concerns within APC circles about the potential threat posed by a unified opposition, especially if Peter Obi emerges as a consensus candidate.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, TJ News Nigeria will provide ongoing updates on party realignments, ticket negotiations, and legal implications leading up to 2027.