Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has sparked a fierce exchange with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over zoning of the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, amid fresh developments in opposition realignment following Peter Obi’s formal membership of the coalition-backed party.
The verbal clash unfolded on January 1, 2026, as Keyamo accused the ADC of avoiding clear zoning of its presidential slot because the party is allegedly controlled by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Keyamo argued that this mirrors the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 dilemma, which he described as disastrous for national unity.
“The ADC is scared to clearly zone its presidential ticket, like the other major parties (PDP and APC) have done, because the party belongs to one man called Atiku Abubakar,” Keyamo wrote. He further claimed Atiku seeks to camouflage with Obi to secure votes on a flawed template that could harm Nigeria’s fragile unity, while suggesting Obi supports the arrangement for a potential vice-presidential role.
Responding swiftly, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi rejected Keyamo’s assertions, describing his zoning perspective as incorrect. Abdullahi referenced past APC primaries, noting they were open contests without strict zoning, citing examples such as Rochas Okorocha contesting alongside Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
He also criticised the APC’s 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket for undermining religious balancing, which he described as a key aspect of national cohesion. According to him, the decision strained Nigeria’s delicate unity. Abdullahi added that any future ADC decisions would prioritise a winning strategy while upholding principles that keep the country together.
Abdullahi dismissed claims that the party revolves around one individual, calling it a weak attempt to undermine the Peter Obi camp. He assured that the ADC is building a winning coalition and that nothing has yet been settled regarding the presidential ticket.
The exchange comes a day after Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, formally declared his ADC membership at an event in Enugu on December 31, 2025. Obi framed the move as part of a broader coalition effort to rescue Nigeria, emphasising unity and socio-economic transformation.
However, a faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Gombe distanced itself from Obi’s reported registration at the party’s Enugu zonal office, citing procedural violations of the party’s constitution. The faction insisted that all members must register at ward level in their state of origin or residence, describing the process as irregular and invalid.
Atiku Abubakar welcomed Obi’s move, calling it a significant moment in the coalition’s history. Meanwhile, Atiku’s aide, Phrank Shaibu, defended the alliance against Keyamo’s criticism, insisting that the ADC is not Atiku’s personal property and that fear of a united opposition is driving the attacks.
Zoning remains a sensitive issue in Nigerian politics, often used to balance regional and religious representation. While the APC zoned its 2023 ticket to the South, the PDP’s open contest contributed to internal divisions.
