2027: Nothing Will Happen If Atiku Is Not on the Ballot, Keyamo Tells Opposition
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said Nigeria will not experience any catastrophe if former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is absent from the ballot in the 2027 general elections.
Keyamo made the remarks while reacting to Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment that sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified the candidacies of the party’s flagbearers.
The minister recalled how the All Progressives Congress (APC) accepted previous Supreme Court judgments that overturned the electoral victories of its candidates in Bayelsa and Zamfara States without attacking the judiciary.
In Bayelsa, the Supreme Court in February 2020 nullified the election of APC governorship candidate David Lyon, ruling that his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decision paved the way for PDP candidate Douye Diri to become governor.
Similarly, in Zamfara State, the Supreme Court nullified the victories of APC candidates in the 2019 elections over the party’s failure to conduct valid primaries. Consequently, PDP candidates who came second in the polls were declared winners.
Keyamo said the APC accepted both judgments despite their significant political consequences.
He also recalled Atiku’s reaction to the Zamfara judgment, noting that the former vice-president had called on political actors to accept court decisions rather than attack judges.
Drawing a parallel with the current ADC crisis, Keyamo argued that the same standard should apply regardless of the political party affected by a court ruling.
He warned against attempts to intimidate judges and blackmail the judiciary whenever electoral decisions do not favour certain political interests.
“You cannot abuse judges and blackmail the judiciary when it doesn’t go your way,” he said.
The minister further insisted that Atiku’s possible absence from the 2027 presidential ballot should not be portrayed as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy or stability.
“Heavens WILL NOT FALL IF A CERTAIN ATIKU ABUBAKAR IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN 2027,” Keyamo declared.
His comments come amid growing political disagreements within opposition parties over preparations for the 2027 general elections.
