Keyamo Mocks Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Ambition, Says ‘Heavens Will Not Fall’ Without Him

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has dismissed concerns over the possible exclusion of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the 2027 presidential ballot, saying Nigeria would not suffer any disaster if he failed to contest.

The minister made the comment on Friday through his X account following a Federal High Court judgment that voided Atiku’s nomination as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The court ruling also invalidated the David Mark-led executive of the party, prompting strong reactions from opposition politicians and their supporters.

Keyamo used the development to criticise what he described as the opposition’s selective attitude towards judicial decisions, arguing that political actors must accept court rulings even when the outcomes are unfavourable.

To support his position, he cited the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment involving Zamfara State, which nullified the victories of APC candidates in the governorship and state House of Assembly elections and declared their PDP opponents winners.

Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2019 election, had praised the judgment at the time as a victory for justice and the rule of law.

Speaking through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice-president had stated: “Nothing is as pleasing to the ears of believers, as justice being served in the holy month of Ramadan.”

Keyamo further pointed to the Supreme Court’s February 13, 2020, ruling that removed David Lyon as Bayelsa governor-elect just a day before his planned inauguration. The judgment subsequently cleared the way for PDP candidate Douye Diri to assume office as governor.

The aviation minister maintained that the APC accepted the court decisions without resorting to attacks on the judiciary, arguing that opposition politicians should follow the same approach.

“You cannot abuse judges and blackmail the judiciary when it doesn’t go your way,” Keyamo said.

He added emphatically: “Heavens WILL NOT FALL IF A CERTAIN ATIKU ABUBAKAR IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN 2027.”

In the Thursday judgment, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the David Mark-led caretaker committee was not legally constituted and upheld the position of Nafiu Bala, a former ADC national deputy chairman representing the North-East.

The judge also set aside decisions taken by the committee, including the nomination of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

In an earlier response, Keyamo described the judgment as a reaffirmation that court decisions must be guided by evidence and facts rather than emotional considerations.

He also alleged that Atiku and the Mark-led faction had attempted to take over the ADC illegally, cautioning that the alleged actions could attract serious consequences.

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