A fresh political battle has erupted between a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan returning to the presidential race in 2027.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP has accused the APC of becoming increasingly uneasy over growing calls for Jonathan to contest the next presidential election, insisting that recent comments by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reflect the ruling party’s fear of the former president’s popularity.
The PDP faction made the accusation in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong.
The statement came days after the faction announced Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election in absentia, a move that immediately generated reactions across the political landscape.
Responding to the development, Keyamo had called on Jonathan to publicly distance himself from both the PDP faction and the purported presidential nomination.
The minister argued that the former president should not allow himself to be drawn into political activities capable of creating confusion ahead of the next electoral cycle.
However, the PDP faction dismissed Keyamo’s intervention, describing it as unnecessary interference in the affairs of the opposition party.
According to the group, the aviation minister should concentrate on addressing challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation industry and the broader governance issues confronting the country rather than commenting on the internal matters of the PDP.
The faction argued that the strong reactions to Jonathan’s nomination showed that the APC was worried about the prospect of facing the former president in the 2027 election.
It maintained that many Nigerians still remember Jonathan’s administration for what it described as political stability, economic growth, increased investor confidence and a more inclusive national environment.
In a strongly worded statement, the PDP faction said it found it ironic that Keyamo, who built much of his public reputation through criticism of previous governments, was now uncomfortable with opposition parties exercising their democratic rights.
“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 statement said.
The faction noted that Nigerians remember Keyamo as a vocal activist and lawyer who frequently challenged those in authority and approached the courts to defend democratic principles.
It expressed surprise that he was now criticising political actors for exercising rights that he once championed.
The PDP faction further accused the APC administration of shrinking the political space available to opposition parties while failing to address pressing national challenges.
According to the statement, Nigerians are more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and declining living standards than political debates over Jonathan’s possible candidacy.
The opposition group argued that the minister should direct his attention toward helping the government solve the country’s problems rather than offering advice to a former president.
“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 faction also criticised the performance of the APC-led Federal Government since it assumed power in 2015.
It accused the government of failing to effectively manage the economy and tackle insecurity.
According to the PDP faction, Nigerians have witnessed rising unemployment, economic difficulties, infrastructure challenges and repeated allegations of corruption under the current administration.
The group argued that these issues deserve greater attention from government officials than political discussions about Jonathan.
The latest exchange comes amid increasing political speculation about the 2027 presidential election.
Although Jonathan has not publicly declared interest in contesting the election, calls for him to return to active politics have continued to emerge from different groups and individuals across the country.
Supporters of the former president often point to his conduct during the 2015 election, when he conceded defeat to former President Muhammadu Buhari, as a major contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after first assuming office following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010. He later won the 2011 presidential election before losing his re-election bid in 2015.
Since leaving office, Jonathan has largely focused on diplomatic engagements, election observation missions and peace-building efforts across Africa.
His name, however, frequently resurfaces in political discussions whenever conversations about future elections begin.
The Turaki-led PDP faction insisted that many Nigerians continue to view Jonathan as a leader capable of promoting national unity and reducing political tensions.
The group claimed that growing public interest in his possible return was based on dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the country.
It further stated that no amount of pressure or intimidation could stop Nigerians from expressing support for any political leader of their choice.
“We can assure Keyamo and the APC that no amount of intimidation, blackmail, or scaremongering can prevent Nigerians from freely expressing their political preferences or supporting leaders they believe can help reposition the country,” the statement said.
The faction argued that democracy guarantees citizens the right to support candidates and political parties without interference from those currently in government.
It also said that as the country moves closer to another election season, Nigerians are increasingly looking for leaders who can unite the nation, promote stability and place national interest above personal ambition.
The opposition group maintained that the APC government should focus on addressing the concerns of ordinary Nigerians rather than worrying about opposition politics.
In its closing remarks, the PDP faction launched another attack on the ruling party, arguing that if any administration deserved criticism for poor governance, it was the APC-led government.
“Finally, if any political party has exemplified cluelessness in public administration, it has been the APC-led federal government since 2015. So if Keyamo is attempting to point a finger of cluelessness, he should look at the four pointing back at him,” the statement concluded.