Keyamo: Obi’s 2023 Electoral Momentum No Longer Exists

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed the likelihood of a successful alliance between opposition figures Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting that the demographic forces that propelled Obi’s 2023 campaign have significantly diminished.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, Keyamo stated that the opposition is facing an uphill battle in terms of electoral numbers, especially if Obi is not the lead candidate in any proposed coalition.

“They are going nowhere in terms of demography,” Keyamo said. “I like what is happening because it keeps us on our toes and will make us work harder, but the numbers are not looking good for them.”

He argued that a proposed alliance under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly aimed at combining Obi and Atiku’s support bases to surpass the APC’s over eight million votes from 2023, is unlikely to succeed.

“Here’s the flaw in their plan,” Keyamo said. “If Peter Obi becomes Atiku’s running mate, the three major demographic pillars that supported him in 2023 will collapse.”

He explained that Obi’s 2023 support was largely anchored on three key factors: religious identity, ethnic sentiment, and youth enthusiasm. According to him, Obi benefited from being the sole Christian among the major presidential candidates, which consolidated Christian votes. The South-East also rallied behind him due to regional sentiment and younger voters, popularly known as the “Obidients” backed him as a youthful alternative to older candidates.

“All these factors worked in his favour because he was the primary candidate,” Keyamo noted. “If he’s made a running mate in 2027, those advantages will dissipate.”

Keyamo also emphasized the strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the northern region, asserting that President Bola Tinubu and the party remain firmly rooted there.

“If you put Peter Obi forward as president this time, he cannot penetrate the North,” he said. “We have our structures, we have our governors, and we are solidly established in the region.”