PDP faction fires back at Keyamo, urges focus on aviation

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has put forward former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, who urged Jonathan to disassociate himself from the party and the presidential bid.

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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.

The PDP faction, led by Tanimu Turaki, dismissed Keyamo's reaction as a clear sign of anxiety within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The faction's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that Nigerians remember Jonathan's tenure for its political stability, economic growth, and national inclusion. Ememobong also criticized Keyamo, recalling his past as a vocal critic of government and public office holders, and questioned his current comfort with what the faction perceives as the "asphyxiation of the political space against the opposition."

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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.

Instead of commenting on PDP's internal affairs, Ememobong urged the Minister to focus on pressing national issues. These include the "worsening economic hardship, persistent insecurity, declining purchasing power, and growing insecurity across the country." The faction also questioned Keyamo's competence to offer advice, referencing his alleged inability to effectively implement a "simple cashless policy."

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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.

The PDP faction highlighted the economic difficulties, infrastructure collapses, rising unemployment, and corruption scandals under the current APC administration, suggesting these are the matters deserving of the Minister's attention and advice to the incumbent president. The party emphasized that Nigerians are more interested in solutions to these problems than in unsolicited political advice to a former president.

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A minister who could not effectively implement a simple cashless policy is not the best person to offer advice to a former President.