2027: Keyamo Says Atiku, Obi Locked In Ego Battle Over Opposition Leadership

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has attributed the rivalry between African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, to what he described as an intense ego contest ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Keyamo made the assertion in a post on his X handle while reacting to separate Independence Day broadcasts by Atiku and Obi following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address to Nigerians on October 1.

According to the minister, the inability of the two opposition figures to reach an agreement to work together has deepened tensions between them and their respective supporters.

Keyamo argued that the political contest between Atiku and Obi was no longer primarily about President Tinubu, but about determining who would emerge as the leading opposition figure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He said the two politicians were seeking to establish themselves as the principal challenger to the ruling party and secure what he described as the “second spot” in the presidential contest.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not the problem of these gentlemen,” Keyamo said, adding that there was “a huge ego battle” between Atiku and Obi.

The minister also alleged that there was “subdued bitterness” between the two politicians and their supporters, which, he said, had persisted despite appeals for them to work together.

Keyamo said their separate Independence Day broadcasts underscored the rivalry over political prominence within the opposition camp.

He wrote: “Since they could not work together despite all entreaties, both men think they have a point to prove to each other and all their present battles is to prove who the REAL OPPOSITION is to the ruling Party and who is entitled to claim the 2nd SPOT come January 16, 2027.”

The comments come amid continuing political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and political figures exploring alliances aimed at challenging the ruling party.

Atiku and Obi were both presidential candidates in the 2023 election, when they contested on separate party platforms. Their current political alignments have again placed them at the centre of discussions over the opposition’s strategy for 2027.