According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, August 30, 2025, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has issued a caution to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concerning its possible decision to field former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.
Keyamo expressed concern that such a move might weaken the opposition party’s chances of making significant progress in the polls.
In his remarks, Keyamo pointed out that the PDP is still facing political challenges following its approach to the 2023 elections.
He recalled that the party’s refusal to zone its presidential ticket to the South affected its overall performance, especially in the South-South and South-East regions where it had traditionally enjoyed strong support.
The minister stressed that the decision taken by the PDP in the last election cycle is one of the factors that has placed the party in what he described as a “non-enviable position.”
According to him, the leadership of the PDP must carefully weigh its options ahead of 2027 if it is to remain relevant and competitive on the national stage.
Keyamo also raised the issue of legal uncertainty surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility to contest again.
He explained that although a constitutional amendment had been made after a previous court ruling in 2015 which cleared Jonathan to contest then, the current position of the law is still open to interpretation.
He noted that the final say on the matter could only come from the Supreme Court, not from arguments on social media or in public debates.
The minister described the situation as a potential “risk” for the PDP, emphasizing that presenting Jonathan without clarity on the legal implications could expose the party to setbacks.
He advised that the matter should be properly addressed before any decision is made on the former president’s candidacy.
Keyamo’s warning comes at a time when discussions about the 2027 elections are beginning to surface within political circles.
The eligibility of Jonathan has remained a subject of debate since the constitutional amendment limited the tenure of individuals who had previously served as president.
His comments are expected to stir further conversations within the PDP regarding its strategy for the next general elections, particularly on whether it should take the gamble of presenting Jonathan or consider alternative candidates who may not face similar legal or political challenges.
He said: “The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.
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