The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rejected recent comments by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, regarding the party’s decision to affirm former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

In a strongly worded press statement issued on Tuesday, the PDP declared that Keyamo lacks the moral authority to lecture the opposition party or its potential candidate.

The party noted that while it would ordinarily ignore such remarks, the growing desperation and anxiety within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the rising clamour for Jonathan’s return necessitated a firm response.

The full statement reads:

“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to the recent comments by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, concerning the Party’s affirmation of President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Ordinarily, the PDP would not have dignified such comments with a response. However, the desperation and anxiety that have increasingly characterised reactions from the ruling APC to the growing national clamour for President Jonathan’s return to leadership make it necessary to set the record straight.

It is rather ironic that Festus Keyamo, a man who built his public profile through relentless criticism of governments and public office holders, now seeks to deny others the very democratic space he once occupied with such enthusiasm. Nigerians remember the Keyamo who challenged those in power, spoke against perceived injustices, and approached the courts in defence of democratic principles.

Instead of concerning himself with the internal affairs of the PDP, the Minister would do well to devote his energy to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the aviation sector and the wider administration of which he is a part. Nigerians are far more interested in solutions to the worsening economic hardship, persistent insecurity, declining purchasing power, and the growing insecurity across the country than in unsolicited political advice directed at President Jonathan.

Under the APC administration, Nigerians have witnessed unprecedented economic difficulties, repeated collapse of critical infrastructure, rising unemployment, and corruption scandals that continue to raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability in government. These are the issues deserving of the Minister’s commentary and advice to the incumbent president.

The obvious nervousness that has greeted President Jonathan’s candidacy is understandable, because Nigerians have not forgotten that under his administration, the country enjoyed political stability, sustained economic growth, increased foreign investor confidence, and a more inclusive national atmosphere.

We can assure Keyamo and the APC that no amount of intimidation, blackmail, or scaremongering can prevent Nigerians from freely expressing their political preferences or supporting leaders they believe can help reposition the country.

If Festus Keyamo truly wishes to offer advice, he should begin by advising the APC-led administration to address the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians. Until then, his attempts to lecture others on governance and political judgment will continue to ring hollow.

Finally, if any political party has exemplified cluelessness in public administration, it has been the APC-led federal government since 2015. So if Keyamo is attempting to point a finger of cluelessness, he should look at the four pointing back at him.”