Where Will Peter Obi’s Votes Come From? I Can’t See It – Keyamo Predicts Tinubu’s Landslide Victory

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will defeat opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, describing the contest as more of a “coronation” than an election. Keyamo made the declaration during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would comfortably retain power in the next general election. The minister’s remarks came shortly after he accused Obi of lying over claims of political harassment at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport—a dispute that has dominated public discourse in recent weeks.

Responding to a question on whether he could confidently ask Nigerians to vote for President Tinubu and the APC again, Keyamo said the government’s achievements had already earned the support of many Nigerians. He pointed to recent electoral victories as evidence of the party’s dominance, stating, “Everybody in the world has attested to the facts. To be honest, nobody can say all of it now. But we won in Ekiti. We told them to vote and they voted. In the FCT, they voted. We won already.” When the interviewer pointed out that Peter Obi—the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate—would be on the ballot in 2027 and asked what gave him confidence of victory, Keyamo dismissed Obi’s electoral chances with a rhetorical question. “I’m looking around. Between you and me, where will Obi’s votes come from? I can’t see it,” he said. Even after the interviewer suggested that many Nigerians might disagree with his assessment, the minister maintained his position, repeating, “I don’t see where it will come from.”

Asked whether former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar posed a major challenge to the APC, the minister brushed aside the suggestion with laughter. “Which Atiku? Nightmare who?” he retorted. Keyamo then made a bold prediction about the outcome of the election, urging his audience not to misinterpret his confidence. “I want to make a profound closing statement. Not out of arrogance. Not out of overconfidence. But out of pure demographic calculations. The 2027 election is a coronation, not an election. I repeat, don’t take me out of context. Out of pure demographic calculations, it’s a coronation,” he declared. When the interviewer asked whether he was implying that the election would be rigged, Keyamo rejected the suggestion, insisting that his comments were based solely on electoral demographics. “You see yourself. You heard what I said. Demographic calculations. You are taking it somewhere else. I didn’t say that,” he responded. As the interview drew to a close, the minister ended the exchange in pidgin, delivering a cryptic warning to the opposition. “I don tey with una, no dey worry me like this… Everywhere go blur. Everywhere go blur.” He also added, “Jungle is about to be mature, eh? Very well. Everywhere go blur for them.”

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Keyamo’s latest remarks came shortly after he accused Peter Obi of lying over claims that he was harassed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. During the same television interview, the minister criticised the interviewer for not confronting Obi over the allegation during an earlier interview with the opposition politician. According to Keyamo, CCTV footage from the airport contradicted Obi’s claims that his vehicle was unfairly clamped because of his opposition status. The minister detailed that Obi arrived at the airport’s domestic terminal on July 4, 2026, at about 8:28 p.m. in a vehicle driven by a police officer. He said the driver parked in a designated drop-off zone and left the vehicle unattended for about 30 minutes in a restricted area, in violation of airport regulations. Keyamo maintained that airport workers acted professionally and had no knowledge that the vehicle belonged to Obi when they carried out the enforcement action. He also alleged that when the driver discovered the clamp, Obi spoke with an airport manager and requested the vehicle’s release, which was granted without payment of the prescribed ₦25,000 fine, describing the incident as “influence peddling.” During the interview, Keyamo described Obi’s claims as false, stating, “Then I saw the man was lying. He lies like a fish drinking water. He lies. He lies for fun.” The minister had earlier demanded that the former Anambra State governor apologise to airport personnel and pay the ₦25,000 parking fine, warning that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) could take further action if the demands were ignored.

The Obidient Movement has strongly rejected Keyamo’s account, accusing the minister of releasing “poorly edited propaganda” and manipulating CCTV footage to discredit Obi. The group argued that the timestamps in Keyamo’s own footage show Obi’s vehicle arriving at 20:28 and being clamped at approximately 20:34—six minutes, not thirty. According to the movement, “The timestamps show the vehicle arriving at 20:28 and being clamped at approximately 20:34. That is six minutes, not thirty.” It further alleged that the minister deliberately zoomed in on the seconds display of the CCTV footage in an attempt to create the impression that viewers were looking at the minute counter, describing the exercise as misleading. The group also stated that Keyamo’s own footage contradicted his allegation that Peter Obi’s vehicle blocked the airport terminal entrance, stressing that another vehicle was seen pulling up behind it without any obstruction. It maintained that the video supported Peter Obi’s earlier claim that other vehicles were parked in the same area, alleging that enforcement officers singled out only the opposition leader’s vehicle. Obi’s spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, also challenged Keyamo’s reference to a “police driver,” stating that Peter Obi does not have any police or civil defence personnel attached to him in Abuja. He said the incident contained in Keyamo’s post was not the one Obi narrated publicly, suggesting a pattern of targeting the opposition figure.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Moh Lukman, has warned that continued divisions and personal ambitions among opposition leaders could hand President Tinubu and the APC another electoral victory in 2027. Lukman identified Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as prominent opposition figures whose individual presidential ambitions could weaken efforts to unseat the ruling party. “Lack of unity among the opposition was largely responsible for the electoral victory of APC. The same reality is manifesting itself again with the same two leading opposition personalities emerging as candidates against President Tinubu,” Lukman said. “If truly their objective is about defeating APC and President Tinubu, why are they unable to recognise that once they are divided, it is as good as conceding electoral victory to APC and President Tinubu?”

Where Will Peter Obi’s Votes Come From? I Can’t See It – Keyamo Predicts Tinubu’s Landslide Victory

ADC Youth Wing Demands Probe into Primaries Irregularities, Insists Implicated Leaders Must Resign

• The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an independent investigation into alleged widespread irregularities during the party’s primary elections, warning that failure to address the complaints could undermine the party’s credibility as Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.

The crisis rocking the Senator David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) took a fresh turn on Wednesday as the party’s National Youth Wing demanded an independent investigation into alleged irregularities that marred its primary elections across the country. The youth wing also insisted that any party leaders found culpable should immediately resign from their positions.

The ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, disclosed this in Abuja during a press briefing, stating that the party’s youth wing could no longer remain silent over allegations that, if proven, would undermine the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency and fairness. He urged the National Working Committee to immediately establish an independent review panel to investigate all complaints arising from the primaries.

Rufai revealed that the youth wing had received petitions from aspirants across 23 states alleging manipulation of candidate nominations, financial inducements and other breaches of the party’s constitution. He warned that failure to address the complaints could undermine the ADC’s credibility as Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.

Speaking passionately at the briefing, Rufai recounted the hopes that had accompanied the party’s primary elections, noting that thousands of party members had participated believing the process would reflect the ADC’s democratic ideals. “Only a few months ago, thousands of party members across our wards, local governments, and states celebrated what many believed would mark another important chapter in the democratic journey of our great party,” he said. “Aspirants invested their personal resources, supporters travelled long distances, volunteers gave countless hours, and young Nigerians stood shoulder to shoulder with hope that every legitimate vote and every genuine mandate would be respected. For many, the primary election was more than a contest for party tickets. It was a test of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and internal democracy. Today, that hope has been overshadowed by deep concern.”

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Rufai disclosed that formal petitions had already been submitted to the party’s Legal Department by the Appeal Committee constituted by the party, as well as by aggrieved aspirants, but lamented that no action had been taken. He said the exercise had instead generated widespread dissatisfaction among aspirants.

The youth leader detailed the nature of the allegations, stating that the youth wing had received petitions supported by documentary evidence alleging that some party officials accepted improper financial inducements to alter candidate nominations across over twenty-three states. “If these allegations are true, then those affected deserve justice, our members deserve answers, and our party deserves the courage to confront the truth,” Rufai declared. “If these allegations are established through an independent investigation, they would represent a grave violation of our party’s constitution, democratic principles, and the trust of our members. We now hold official records, petitions, and correspondence submitted by affected members for review.”

He painted a vivid picture of the human toll of the crisis, stating: “Behind every petition is a person who invested hope, time, resources, and the confidence of their supporters in this process. Today, some have resigned from the party they helped to build. Others have turned to the courts because they believe they have nowhere else to seek redress. Many remain within our ranks, waiting patiently for their concerns to be heard. Their disappointment should concern every leader who believes in justice and fairness.”

Rufai warned that every unresolved complaint weakens confidence in the party’s internal processes and places unnecessary strain on the unity needed ahead of the general election. “This uncertainty threatens our standing as the largest opposition force on the continent,” he said. “The Youth Wing will not stand by while the collective effort of millions of loyal members is undermined. As the voice of the largest demographic within our party, we have a responsibility to speak when the confidence of our members is at stake. This is not about protecting individuals or settling political scores. It is about protecting the integrity of our party. Every honest official should welcome an independent review because transparency strengthens institutions, while silence only fuels suspicion.”

He called for immediate, transparent, and decisive action, urging the National Working Committee to establish an independent review process to examine every complaint promptly and fairly. “Any official found, after a fair and independent investigation, to have manipulated the nomination process or accepted improper inducements must face the full disciplinary measures provided under the party’s constitution. Where credible evidence indicates criminal conduct, the matter should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities,” he stated.

In a direct challenge to the party’s leadership, Rufai stated: “It is high time that if the current leadership of the party cannot bring the perpetrators of these gross injustices to book, then they must resign and make way for those ready to restore integrity to our party.”

He also called on aggrieved aspirants across the 36 states to submit their petitions, delegate tallies, video evidence and other supporting documents to the Office of the National Youth Leader for compilation and presentation to the appropriate organs of the party.

Despite the controversy, Rufai reaffirmed the youth wing’s loyalty to the ADC and declared support for the party’s presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, alongside all validly nominated candidates nationwide. “We believe this party is strongest when it is transparent, accountable, and faithful to its own rules. We owe every aspirant a fair process, every member an honest organization, and every Nigerian the confidence that we are prepared to hold ourselves to the same standards we expect of others. No political party can ask Nigerians to trust its commitment to democracy if it is unwilling to defend democracy within its own house.”

To ensure these issues are exhaustively pursued, Rufai announced that the ADC Youth Wing Legal Advisers, chaired by Barr. I.U. Wali and Barr. Juliet Laba, would work directly with aggrieved aspirants until all their issues are justifiably resolved.

The youth wing’s intervention comes amid wider turmoil within the ADC, which has been grappling with multiple leadership disputes and legal battles. The party, led by former Senate President David Mark, has been entangled in a leadership crisis with a faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe . The Gombe faction recently asked INEC to remove David Mark’s National Working Committee from its portal and threatened Atiku Abubakar with legal action over his presidential candidacy. In April 2026, the ADC youth wing had previously issued a three-day ultimatum to INEC, demanding the restoration and recognition of the David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola-led leadership, accusing the electoral body of undermining democratic processes .

Rufai concluded his remarks with a prayer: “May Almighty God give us the wisdom to pursue justice with fairness and integrity. May He comfort those who have suffered injustice and grant our party leadership the courage to enforce transparency without fear or favor. We pray for God’s guidance upon our presidential team, all valid candidates, and the entire nation. Amen.”

ADC Youth Wing Demands Probe into Primaries Irregularities, Insists Implicated Leaders Must Resign

Sen Hanga denies APC defection rumours, says he has no plans to leave NDC

Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, representing Kano Central Senatorial District, has dismissed growing speculation that he is preparing to defect from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains a loyal member of the party and has not made any decision to leave.

Hanga made the clarification during a radio programme in Kano following weeks of speculation triggered by his meetings with prominent APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other senior figures in the ruling party.

The senator said his recent political engagements should not be interpreted as a formal decision to abandon the NDC, maintaining that consultations and meetings with leaders across party lines are part of political engagement and do not automatically amount to defection.

“I still remain a member of NDC, and I have not yet made any plans of decamping out,” Hanga said.

His comments come as political consultations and realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political leaders holding meetings and exploring alliances across different parties.

Although Hanga reaffirmed his membership of the NDC, he expressed doubts about the party’s ability to defeat the APC at the national level in the next presidential election.

According to him, the NDC may struggle to make a significant impact across Nigeria, but he remains confident that the party has strong political prospects in Kano State.

“NDC will lose Nigeria. They can’t make any impact, but I’m certain they will win Kano. This I know, and as for me, I still remain a member of my party,” the senator said.

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Hanga’s comments have renewed discussions about the NDC’s political strength, its national prospects and the possible realignment of political forces in Kano ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Kano Central lawmaker also addressed reports suggesting that his relationship with former Kano State governor and influential political leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had completely broken down.

He said the reports were inaccurate, maintaining that mutual respect still exists between both men despite political differences and disagreements over recent political developments.

According to Hanga, there is no personal hostility between him and Kwankwaso, even though they may not always agree on political decisions.

Speaking about the emergence of the NDC governorship ticket in Kano State, Hanga gave his account of events that he said led to the party’s current political arrangements.

He claimed that Kwankwaso initially considered supporting his son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, for the governorship position and communicated the possibility through the NDC chairman in Kano State, Hussaini Isa Mairiga.

“Kwankwaso sent an emissary to me through the NDC Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mairiga, that he was considering anointing his son, Mustapha, for the governorship seat,” Hanga said.

The senator said he welcomed the proposal and indicated that he was prepared to support Mustapha’s governorship ambition if the plan was eventually adopted.

“I bade them farewell and also told him to tell Kwankwaso that I was ready to be his son’s campaign manager. Since then, I did not hear anything from them,” he added.

Hanga said he was later approached by Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo concerning the Kano governorship contest.

According to him, Gwarzo informed him that he had been selected as the party’s governorship candidate and asked whether Hanga would be willing to serve as his deputy.

“After a few days, Aminu Abdussalam met me in Abuja and told me that Kwankwaso had made him the gubernatorial candidate of the party and asked if I was ready to be his deputy,” Hanga said.

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“Although I knew it was a demotion, I accepted, but then I just heard that Kwankwaso had made his son, Mustapha, the governor’s running mate.”

The senator’s comments have intensified public interest in his political future, particularly amid reports that he may have become dissatisfied with developments surrounding the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Speculation about Hanga’s possible move to the APC increased after APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda visited him in Kano.

Following the meeting, Yilwatda said their discussions focused on the unity, peace, stability and future of Kano State, stressing the importance of cooperation among political leaders regardless of party affiliation.

“Our discussions were cordial and focused on the unity, peace, stability and future of Kano State,” Yilwatda said.

The meeting generated fresh speculation that Hanga could be considering a political alliance with the APC, although the senator has continued to deny making any decision to defect.

Reports also emerged that Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf met with Hanga in Abuja amid growing discussions about the senator’s political future.

Hanga was later seen at engagements involving Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Yilwatda and other APC leaders, further fueling speculation about a possible move to the ruling party.

The reports gained additional attention after Hanga held discussions with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Despite the high-profile meetings, the senator has maintained that he has not formally resigned from or defected from the NDC.

The NDC leadership in Kano has also appealed to Hanga to remain in the party, describing him as an important political figure and a key member of the party’s structure in the state.

The party’s leadership has expressed concern that his departure could affect its preparations and political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Hanga’s continued engagement with political leaders across party lines has, however, kept the defection rumours alive, particularly as political consultations intensify across Kano State.

The senator’s statement that the NDC may struggle at the national level, while retaining strong prospects in Kano, has also raised questions about whether he could eventually consider a new political platform ahead of the elections.

For now, Hanga has maintained that he remains a member of the NDC and has not announced any formal plan to join the APC.

His next political move is expected to attract significant attention because of his influence in Kano Central and the potential impact of any political realignment on the contest for Kano State and the 2027 general elections.

Sen Hanga denies APC defection rumours, says he has no plans to leave NDC