“419 decision”- Keyamo chides Peter Obi, NDC over zoning of presidential ticket

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peter Obi following the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

In a statement posted on X, Keyamo described the NDC’s plan for a one-term Southern President as a “419 decision”.

He said, “The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians.

“It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit,” Keyamo said.

Keyamo added that the one-term arrangement for Obi could be altered if the former Anambra State governor chooses to contest under a different party in 2031.

“So, what happens if Peter Obi changes his Party, assuming he wins, or as leader of the NDC he gets the NEC of the Party to reverse the decision, if in the unlikely event he wins?

“This is an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians; it smacks of outright desperation and actually accentuates the dilemma of the opposition as a whole in the 2027 Presidential elections. It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419,” he added.

The NDC had, at its National Convention, announced the zoning of its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southern region of the country.

The party also stated that the decision would allow a Northern candidate to emerge as its presidential candidate for the 2031 election.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​