‘A Joke Taken Too Far’ — Keyamo Reacts To NDC Zoning Presidential Ticket To South

By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described as “a joke taken too far” the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single term.

Keyamo stressed that the arrangement lacks sincerity arguing that it is a ploy to win votes from the electorate, describing the move as “political 419”.

He added that the pact is reminiscent of what happened in 2011 when former president Goodluck Jonathan promised to serve only one full term in office.

Keyamo aired his view about the NDC’s zoning in his post on his verified X handle on Monday

The minister argued that there was no guarantee the arrangement would be respected if a southern candidate eventually emerged victorious in the presidential election.

He wrote, “THE NDC AND ITS ‘419’ DECISION.

“The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians. It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit.

“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.”

Recall that the NDC at its national convention in Abuja on Saturday adopted a proposal  to reserve the party’s presidential ticket for southern aspirants under a one-term agreement.

The motion was moved by Afam Victor Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, and was subsequently adopted by delegates at the convention.

The party also agreed that after the proposed four-year tenure, the presidential ticket would automatically return to the North.