Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has downplayed the political strength of opposition figure Peter Obi in northern Nigeria, asserting that the Labour Party presidential candidate lacks the necessary grassroots support to win in the region.
Speaking on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television on Sunday, Keyamo maintained that the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have entrenched political structures in the North that remain unmatched by the opposition.
“If you put Peter Obi this time as president, he cannot penetrate the North,” Keyamo said. “We have our structures in the North. We have governors and our political presence there is solid.”
The minister also took a swipe at the recently announced opposition coalition operating under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the alliance as weak and incapable of making significant electoral gains.
“They are not going anywhere in terms of democracy,” Keyamo stated. “But it’s good they are putting the APC on its toes. It helps us to work better and deliver on our promises.”
Keyamo’s comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections, with analysts predicting a potentially tight contest if such coalitions solidify.
Despite the growing momentum around Peter Obi and other opposition leaders, the Aviation Minister insisted that the APC’s nationwide structure and incumbency advantage will be decisive in future polls, especially in the North.
The 2023 elections saw a significant rise in support for Obi, particularly among young voters in urban areas, but questions remain about his ability to build a broader coalition that includes the country’s northern electorate.
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