Speaking during a political current affairs programme on Sunday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the alliance as “an unfruitful adventure,” stating that Nigerians would not be swayed by outdated political tactics.
“They know us very well, and we also know them very well,” Keyamo said. “Some of these tactics they are using are what I call 419 tactics. These tactics have expired.”
The minister criticised what he described as deceptive strategies by the opposition, particularly targeting one of the leading figures without naming him directly. He accused the individual of hypocrisy, saying, “One of them is busy disgracing wealth every day, putting 500 cars in his garage and telling Nigerians he wants to rescue them.”
Keyamo argued that instead of focusing on political permutations, Nigerians should assess whether the Tinubu administration is fixing the fundamentals of the economy—a question he answered with a “resounding yes.”
He pointed to steady foreign reserves, growing government revenue, and a stabilising naira as clear signs of economic progress. “These are indices of a healthy economy. It is the trickle-down effect that will finally free up spaces for jobs and put money in the pockets of Nigerians,” he said.
Responding to opposition criticism over rising inflation and commodity prices, Keyamo dismissed them as emotional tactics designed to distract from broader economic gains. “They are using the prices of food items like yams to paint a grim picture, but they ignore the broader economic improvements,” he said.
Reinforcing President Tinubu’s earlier statement describing the opposition as “a coalition of confused people,” Keyamo insisted the ruling party is unfazed by any merger efforts, asserting that the numbers do not support the opposition’s ambitions.
“The idea that combining Peter Obi and Atiku’s figures will defeat our 8.4 million votes in 2023 – that alliance will not work,” he declared.
He argued that Obi’s 2023 support base—comprising religious sentiment, South-East loyalty, and youth enthusiasm—would erode if he played second fiddle on a joint ticket.
“If Obi is made a deputy, the Christian demography will pull out and become apolitical,” he claimed, adding that First Lady Remi Tinubu’s status as a pastor already appeals to faith-based voters.
Keyamo further predicted that the South-East might abandon Obi if Atiku leads the ticket, and suggested that younger voters would likely reject a campaign built around “an 80-year-old Muslim presidential candidate.”
In his concluding remarks, the minister said the ruling party welcomes the competition but remains confident in its electoral strength heading into 2027.
