The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly reject the presidential ticket reportedly handed to him by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that failure to do so could damage his reputation and global standing.
Keyamo’s reaction followed the announcement by a PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki, which on Saturday unveiled Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The decision was reportedly taken in Jonathan’s absence, amid growing speculation about the former president’s possible return to active politics ahead of the next presidential election.
However, Jonathan has yet to publicly declare any intention to contest the presidency.
Reacting to the development, Keyamo described the action of the Turaki-led faction as a political farce, noting that the group is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He pointed out that the faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, remains the recognised wing of the party.
Expressing disbelief over the move, the minister accused the group of dragging Jonathan into what he described as a futile political exercise.
“This is some kind of bizarre comedy taken too far by supposedly grown adults and some names that were actually in the corridors of power at some point in this country,” Keyamo said.
“Giving a whole Presidential ticket to an ex-President and statesman by proxy and by a bunch of people not even registered on INEC’s website. And they don’t give a hoot dragging such a revered figure into their charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere. Quite sad.
“For the sake of his global image, President Goodluck Jonathan must IMMEDIATELY issue a strong ‘no, thank you’ statement, lest Nigerians begin to recall the ‘clueless’ campaign that got him out of power – first sitting President to be so ousted.”
Despite Jonathan’s absence at the event, his certificate of return was received on his behalf by Fred Agbedi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bayelsa State.
Sources familiar with the development indicated that a date for the formal presentation of the party’s flag to Jonathan is expected to be announced in the coming days.
The development has further intensified discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential race and the deepening divisions within the PDP.
