In a candid Channels Television interview, Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, discussed the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s plan to unite Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar on a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
Keyamo highlighted that Atiku, having served two terms as vice president, is constitutionally barred from holding that role again, ruling him out as Obi’s running mate. Instead, the only feasible option would be for Obi to serve as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate.
Keyamo argued that this arrangement would erode Obi’s support base from the 2023 election. He noted that many Christians, including influential pastors who backed Obi due to his Christian background, would be unlikely to support a Muslim presidential candidate like Atiku, who will be over 80 by 2027.
Additionally, Keyamo suggested that southeastern Nigerians, who rallied behind Obi in 2023 due to regional marginalization, might withdraw their support if he accepts a secondary role under Atiku. This shift could fracture Obi’s coalition, weakening the ADC’s challenge against the APC.
In Keyamo’s words: “The pastors cannot come out campaigning for an 80-year-old muslim president. They will not do that. So he (Bola Tinubu) will lose that demography”
Keyamo’s analysis underscores the intricate interplay of religious, regional, and generational dynamics in Nigeria’s electoral landscape. As the 2027 elections loom, his remarks highlight the APC’s strategic confidence in exploiting opposition divisions, while the ADC faces the daunting task of unifying diverse voter groups to mount a credible challenge amid Nigeria’s complex political realities.
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