ADC Belongs to Atiku, Lacks Capacity to Zone Presidency — Keyamo Warns After Obi’s Defection

ADC Belongs to Atiku, Lacks Capacity to Zone Presidency — Keyamo Warns After Obi’s Defection

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is effectively controlled by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a situation he said makes it difficult for the party to zone its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

Keyamo made the claim in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, shortly after the ADC received a boost with the defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to the minister, the ADC’s alleged inability to clearly zone its presidential ticket mirrors the crisis that plagued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 presidential election, which he described as disastrous.

“The ADC is scared to clearly zone its presidential ticket, like the other major parties — APC and PDP — have done, because the party belongs to one man called Atiku Abubakar,” Keyamo wrote.

He argued that zoning remains a sensitive and critical issue in Nigeria’s political landscape, warning that any party aspiring to national acceptance must be explicit about power rotation.

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“It is the exact corner that Atiku pushed the PDP to in 2023 that the ADC now finds itself — the inability to zone its presidential ticket. In a highly sensitive country like Nigeria, any pan-Nigerian party must be clear as to zoning,” he added.

Keyamo pointed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an example, saying its governors adopted zoning ahead of the 2023 election and emerged victorious, while the PDP continues to grapple with the consequences of its decision.

The minister further alleged that Atiku’s continued presidential ambition could destabilise both the ADC and the country’s fragile unity.

“Atiku wants to camouflage with Peter Obi and surreptitiously secure his votes and become president on a flawed template that will damage our fragile unity as a nation,” Keyamo claimed.

He also accused Obi of supporting the arrangement for personal political gain, alleging that the former Anambra State governor was willing to accept a vice-presidential slot at the expense of national stability.

“And Peter Obi is supporting this contraption for selfish reasons — throwing the entire country under the bus for a mess of pottage called a VP ticket. He will soon learn the hard way,” the minister said.

Keyamo concluded by warning Obi supporters that they were being misled, insisting they would eventually regret the political direction being taken.

The comments add to the growing political debate surrounding the ADC, zoning, and emerging alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

 

ADC Belongs to Atiku, Lacks Capacity to Zone Presidency — Keyamo Warns After Obi’s Defection