The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted comments by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the party’s endorsement of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the minister lacks the moral authority to advise the former president.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said Keyamo’s remarks reflected growing anxiety within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over increasing calls by Nigerians for Jonathan’s return to leadership.
The opposition party described it as ironic that Keyamo, who built his public reputation through criticism of governments and public office holders, now appeared uncomfortable with citizens and political parties exercising their democratic rights.
According to the PDP, Nigerians remember Keyamo as an activist who challenged those in power, spoke against perceived injustices and approached the courts in defence of democratic principles.
“It is therefore surprising that he now appears very comfortable with the administration’s asphyxiation of the political space against the opposition, while at the same time being totally uncomfortable with citizens and political parties exercising their democratic rights,” the statement said.
The party advised the minister to channel his attention towards addressing challenges facing the aviation sector and the wider administration rather than commenting on the internal affairs of the PDP.
It argued that Nigerians were more concerned about worsening economic hardship, persistent insecurity, declining purchasing power and unemployment than political commentary directed at Jonathan.
The PDP further accused the APC-led Federal Government of presiding over severe economic difficulties, infrastructure failures and corruption scandals, saying these were the issues deserving of the minister’s attention.
“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 added.
The party maintained that many Nigerians were prevailing on Jonathan to return to power in order to provide stability, national healing and reduce the political tension in the country.
It also dismissed what it described as attempts by the APC to intimidate or discourage citizens from supporting leaders of their choice, stressing that democracy guarantees the right of Nigerians to freely express their political preferences.
As the nation moves closer to the 2027 general election, the PDP said Nigerians were increasingly focused on the need for competent, unifying and selfless leadership capable of addressing the country’s challenges.
The party urged Keyamo to advise the APC-led administration to tackle the problems confronting ordinary Nigerians before offering political counsel to others.
The statement concluded by asserting that if any political party had demonstrated incompetence in governance since 2015, it was the APC, adding that criticisms of poor leadership were more appropriately directed at the ruling party.
The statement was signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Interim National Working Committee.
