The Federal Government has dismissed talks of a potential political alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, saying the move will not unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
This was stated by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a political affairs programme on Sunday. He described the proposed merger as a fruitless effort that lacks the strength to sway Nigerian voters.
According to Keyamo, the ruling party is not fazed by the opposition’s realignment plans. He criticised the tactics of the African Democratic Congress and other opposition blocs, labelling them as outdated and deceptive.
“They know us very well, and we also know them. Some of these tactics are like 419 strategies. They have expired,” he said.
The minister went further to take a swipe at one of the key opposition figures, accusing him of displaying excessive wealth while pretending to represent the common man.
“One of them is busy disgracing wealth every day, putting 500 cars in his garage, and still telling Nigerians he wants to rescue them,” Keyamo said.
He insisted that Nigerians should focus on whether the Tinubu-led administration is fixing the core of the economy, noting steady foreign reserves, increasing government revenue, and a more stable naira as signs of progress.
“These are the real indicators of a healthy economy. Eventually, this will create jobs and put money in people’s pockets,” he explained.
Keyamo criticised the opposition’s emphasis on food prices and inflation, describing them as emotional tactics rather than factual economic analysis.
“They are using yam prices to paint a gloomy picture, but they ignore the broader progress being made,” he added.
Citing a recent comment by President Tinubu, Keyamo said the opposition remains a “coalition of confused people” and claimed that the ruling party is ready to face any challenge.
He further argued that combining Atiku and Obi’s votes from the 2023 election still won’t be enough to defeat the 8.4 million votes secured by Tinubu.
Keyamo pointed to three major factors that boosted Obi’s performance in 2023: religious identity, South-East regional support, and the youth-led Obidient movement. He predicted that two of these pillars would collapse if Obi contests as a running mate in 2027.
“If Obi becomes a deputy, Christian voters will withdraw. Don’t forget the President’s wife is a pastor, and that resonates with Christian voters too,” he said.
He also argued that the South-East is unlikely to back Obi under an Atiku ticket, and said young Nigerians would not support an 80-year-old Muslim presidential candidate.
“These parties cannot campaign effectively on that ticket. The youth won’t follow them,” he concluded.
