You lack moral standing to advise Jonathan — PDP Slams Keyamo

By Precious Mark

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a swipe at Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, saying he lacks the moral authority to advise former President Goodluck Jonathan regarding discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential election.

The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary on Tuesday, said it ordinarily would have ignored Keyamo’s remarks but felt compelled to respond due to what it described as desperation and anxiety from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over growing public conversations about Jonathan’s potential return to politics.

The party accused Keyamo of attempting to restrict democratic expression, arguing that Nigerians still remember him as a former activist and vocal government critic who consistently challenged those in power and defended democratic freedoms.

It stated that it was therefore ironic that the same Keyamo now appears uncomfortable with opposition voices and internal party decisions, while allegedly tolerating what it described as a shrinking democratic space under the current administration.

The party further advised the minister to focus on his responsibilities in the aviation sector and the broader issues affecting the country, rather than engaging in what it called unsolicited political advice about Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the party, Nigerians are currently grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and declining purchasing power, insisting that these challenges should be the primary focus of government officials.

The statement also defended the growing public interest in Jonathan’s potential candidacy, saying many Nigerians still associate his administration with relative political stability, economic growth, and improved international confidence.

It added that no form of intimidation or political pressure would prevent citizens from freely expressing their political choices ahead of the 2027 elections.

The opposition party further criticized the ruling APC, accusing it of poor governance since 2015 and insisting that the current administration has worsened economic conditions and weakened public confidence in governance.

“If any political party has exemplified cluelessness in public administration, it has been the APC-led federal government since 2015,” the statement concluded.