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Keyamo urges Jonathan to reject PDP faction’s 2027 presidential nomination

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nigeria's Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to reject a presidential nomination from a PDP faction.
  • Keyamo stated the faction is not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and called the nomination a 'bizarre comedy.'
  • He advised Jonathan to publicly decline the offer to protect his global image, warning against association with a 'journey to nowhere.'

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has publicly urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to unequivocally reject a presidential nomination reportedly offered by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 elections. Keyamo described the nomination as a "bizarre comedy" and criticized the individuals behind it.

This is some kind of bizarre comedy taken too far by supposedly grown adults and some names that were actually in the corridors of power at some point in this country.

— Festus KeyamoDescribing the PDP faction's presidential nomination of Goodluck Jonathan.

Keyamo emphasized that the PDP faction, reportedly led by Tanimu Turaki, which announced Jonathan as its candidate, is not recognized by Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This move comes amid internal party divisions, with another faction, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, having previously announced Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate.

Giving a whole Presidential ticket to an ex-President and statesman by proxy and by a bunch of people not even registered on INEC’s website.

— Festus KeyamoQuestioning the legitimacy of the nomination.

The minister questioned the legitimacy of conferring a presidential ticket 'by proxy' to a former president and statesman by a group not even registered on INEC's website. He expressed dismay at the dragging of such a 'revered figure' into what he termed a 'charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere.'

And they don’t give a hoot, dragging such a revered figure into their charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere. Quite sad.

— Festus KeyamoExpressing disappointment over the use of Goodluck Jonathan's name.

For the sake of his international standing, Keyamo advised Jonathan to issue a strong 'no, thank you' statement. He warned that failure to distance himself could lead Nigerians to recall the "clueless" campaign that resulted in Jonathan becoming the first sitting Nigerian president to be voted out of office. As of the report, Jonathan had not publicly commented on the nomination.

For the sake of his global image, President Goodluck Jonathan must immediately issue a strong ‘no, thank you’ statement, lest Nigerians begin to recall the ‘clueless’ campaign that got him out of power, first sitting President to be so ousted.

— Festus KeyamoAdvising Jonathan on how to protect his reputation.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.