The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of becoming nervous over the prospect of former President Goodluck Jonathan returning to power in 2027.
The faction made the allegation on Tuesday while reacting to comments by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who had urged Jonathan to distance himself from the faction and the presidential race.
The Turaki-led PDP faction had, on Saturday, announced Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate in absentia.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction said Keyamo’s reaction showed anxiety within the APC over the growing calls for Jonathan’s return.
According to the faction, Nigerians remember Jonathan’s administration for political stability, economic growth, stronger investor confidence and a more inclusive national atmosphere.
“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,” the statement said.
The faction said it was ironic that Keyamo, who built his public profile through criticism of governments and public office holders, was now uncomfortable with opposition parties and citizens exercising their democratic rights.
It accused the minister of supporting what it described as the shrinking of political space under the current administration.
The statement added that Keyamo should focus on challenges in the aviation sector and broader governance issues rather than involving himself in the internal affairs of the PDP.
“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,” the faction said.
It said Nigerians were more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, declining purchasing power, unemployment and governance failures than what it described as unsolicited political advice to Jonathan.
The faction also accused the APC-led Federal Government of presiding over economic difficulties, infrastructure failures, unemployment and corruption scandals since 2015.
It insisted that Keyamo and the APC could not stop Nigerians from freely expressing support for leaders they believe can stabilise and reposition the country.
“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,” it said.
The faction said as the 2027 elections approach, Nigerians are looking for competent, unifying and selfless leadership that can place national interest above partisan calculations.
It added that if Keyamo truly wanted to offer advice, he should begin by advising the APC-led administration to address the hardship facing ordinary Nigerians.
The statement concluded that if any party had demonstrated what it called cluelessness in public administration, it was the APC-led Federal Government since 2015.
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