By Charles Pemu 
In a series of events highlighting the early start of political maneuvering, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against fielding either former President Goodluck Jonathan or former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate in 2027.
On the social media platform X, Keyamo contended that nominating Jonathan carried a constitutional risk, while fielding Peter Obi would face similar political challenges, arguing that the PDP is in a “dilemma” due to its past actions.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), however, quickly cautioned Keyamo and other cabinet members to concentrate on their official duties. The group described the minister’s political commentary as insensitive and a diversion from the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, urging President Bola Tinubu to call his cabinet to order.
In a separate development, former Kaduna State Governor and a key member of the new African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nasir El-Rufai, predicted that President Tinubu would finish a distant third in the 2027 presidential election. El-Rufai, who was a minister-nominee under Tinubu, accused the administration of mismanaging the economy. He also alleged that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinates a policy of paying and offering incentives to bandits.
The ONSA, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, has since reacted to the comments, calling El-Rufai’s claims “baseless.” In a statement, the ONSA insisted that at no time has the government engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals, adding that the allegations were not only false but “deeply insulting” to the memories of security personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against banditry.