Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single term, describing the move as deceptive and misleading.

In a statement posted on his social media platform on Monday, Keyamo said that the one-term arrangement is an attempt to “hoodwink Nigerians,” drawing parallels with the 2011 presidential election when former President Goodluck Jonathan was widely believed to have made a similar commitment.

The minister questioned the credibility and enforceability of such a political arrangement, raising concerns about what would happen if Peter Obi, widely speculated to be a leading figure in the proposed coalition, either changes party affiliation after winning or influences the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to reverse the decision.

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“So, what happens if Peter Obi changes his Party, assuming he wins, or as leader of the NDC he gets the NEC of the Party to reverse the decision, if in the unlikely event he wins? This is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians; it smacks of outright desperation and actually accentuates the dilemma of the opposition a whole in the 2027 Presidential elections.

“It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419,” he said.

Keyamo described the policy as an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians and said it reflects desperation within the opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He further stated that the development reflects what he called the broader dilemma facing opposition parties as they attempt to form a united front capable of challenging the ruling party.