Key Takeaways
- Minister Festus Keyamo alleges Atiku Abubakar is orchestrating a "blistering online attack" against the APC, particularly in the North.
- Keyamo claims Atiku is using "cheap tactics" such as staging poster tearing and spreading disinformation to discredit President Tinubu.
- The Minister asserts that Atiku's demographic calculations for Northern votes in the 2027 elections are "evaporating."
- Keyamo emphasizes the principle that the Southern region deserves to complete eight years in the presidency.
Political Firestorm Erupts Over 2027 Projections
Abuja, Nigeria – The political landscape is already buzzing with activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has launched a sharp critique against former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Keyamo described Atiku as a "butterfly that thinks it is a bird," accusing him of engaging in a "blistering online attack against the APC (All Progressives Congress), particularly in the North."
The minister's comments come as the APC prepares to flag off its presidential campaign in Kaduna, a strategically important Northern state, signaling the early commencement of political maneuvering for the next electoral cycle. Keyamo contended that Atiku Abubakar is banking heavily on securing a significant portion of Northern votes in 2027, believing this demographic stronghold is his only viable path to victory, given his perceived lack of substantial inroads into the Southern states.
Allegations of Disinformation and Staged Attacks
In a detailed statement, Keyamo outlined what he termed Atiku's "common but cheap tactic." He alleged that the opposition figure is resorting to positioning cameras to record individuals tearing down posters of President Bola Tinubu, subsequently disseminating these videos online to create a false narrative of rejection. Furthermore, Keyamo accused Atiku's camp of spreading disinformation, including claims that any support President Tinubu receives in the North is solely procured through massive financial deployment.
"Hence the fake letter alleging a N23 trillion deployment for the Kaduna rally," Keyamo stated, highlighting a specific instance of alleged misinformation. "The intention is to generate a hoopla that will create a groundswell of public opinion that President Tinubu has been 'massively rejected' in the North." These allegations underscore the intense and often contentious nature of political campaigns in Nigeria, where information warfare plays a significant role in shaping public perception.
The Shifting Sands of Northern Support
Keyamo also weighed in on the broader political implications, asserting that the South deserves to complete an eight-year tenure in the presidency, a sentiment that resonates with the unwritten rotational power-sharing agreement often discussed in Nigerian politics. He reminded observers of Atiku's performance in the 2023 elections, where he reportedly lost across the Middle Belt and all Southern states, with the exception of Osun State.
Projecting towards 2027, Keyamo argued that with the robust APC structures firmly backing President Tinubu in the North, Atiku Abubakar's demographic calculations for securing a dominant share of Northern votes are rapidly "evaporating." This perceived erosion of support, according to Keyamo, is driving Atiku to employ increasingly "desperate tactics." The minister drew a stark contrast between Atiku and former President Muhammadu Buhari, who swept Northern votes in 2015. Keyamo contended that Atiku misunderstands the nature of Buhari's past appeal, which he believes was not merely an ethnic display but a reflection of a unique political moment and persona.
Why This Matters
These early accusations and counter-accusations signal the intensifying political rivalry leading up to the 2027 elections. The exchange highlights the critical importance of the Northern vote in Nigerian presidential politics and the lengths to which political actors may go to shape public opinion and undermine opponents. As the nation moves closer to the next electoral cycle, such statements are likely to become more frequent, setting the tone for a potentially contentious and closely watched contest.