Festus Keyamo warned that the PDP risks being left without a candidate or further losing regional support if it fields Goodluck Jonathan or Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential election.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against nominating former President Goodluck Jonathan or former Governor Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential election, citing legal and political risks.
Writing on his X account, Keyamo highlighted that failure to zone the party’s 2023 ticket to the South resulted in a loss of support in the South-South and South-East—a strategic misstep he called the PDP’s “original sin.”
He flagged a constitutional peril relating to section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which could disqualify Jonathan—who has already served as president—if fielded. “If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,” he warned.
Keyamo added that any ruling on the amendment’s applicability would be up to the Supreme Court, not social media.
He also expressed concern that welcoming Peter Obi back into the fold could alienate his “principled” supporters among the ‘Obidients,’ who may view such a move as a betrayal.