…“Instead of concerning himself with the internal affairs of the PDP, the Minister would do well to devote his energy to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the aviation sector.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over his remarks advising former President Goodluck Jonathan to reject any presidential nomination ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the opposition party accused Keyamo of meddling in the internal affairs of the PDP and questioned his moral authority to comment on Jonathan’s political future.
The party said it would ordinarily have ignored the minister’s comments but decided to respond because of what it described as growing anxiety within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over increasing public calls for Jonathan’s possible return to national leadership.
According to the PDP, Keyamo’s position contradicts the image he built over the years as a public interest lawyer and activist who frequently challenged governments and championed democratic freedoms.
“It is rather ironic that Festus Keyamo, a man who built his public profile through relentless criticism of governments and public office holders, now seeks to deny others the very democratic space he once occupied with such enthusiasm,” the party stated.
The PDP argued that many Nigerians remember Keyamo as one of the country’s most vocal critics of those in power and questioned why he now appeared uncomfortable with political parties exercising their constitutional rights.
The opposition party further advised the minister to focus on the responsibilities of his office rather than involving himself in opposition politics.
“Instead of concerning himself with the internal affairs of the PDP, the Minister would do well to devote his energy to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the aviation sector and the wider administration of which he is a part,” the statement added.
The party maintained that Nigerians are currently more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and declining living standards than political debates surrounding Jonathan’s potential candidacy.
Defending the former president, the PDP said many citizens still view Jonathan’s administration favourably, citing what it described as political stability, economic growth, improved investor confidence, and a more inclusive national atmosphere during his tenure.
“The obvious nervousness that has greeted President Jonathan’s candidacy is understandable because Nigerians have not forgotten that under his administration, the country enjoyed political stability, sustained economic growth, increased foreign investor confidence, and a more inclusive national atmosphere,” the party said.
The PDP also insisted that no amount of political pressure or intimidation would prevent Nigerians from supporting candidates of their choice in future elections.
According to the party, as the country moves closer to another election cycle, citizens are increasingly searching for competent, credible, and unifying leadership capable of addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.
The statement concluded with a call on Keyamo to channel his efforts toward helping the government tackle critical national issues rather than offering what the PDP described as unsolicited political advice to the former president.
