Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says it would not be the end of the world if Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is not on the ballot in the 2027 general election.
The minister made the remark in a post on X on Friday as reactions continue to trail Thursday’s judgment of the federal high court in Abuja, which sacked the David Mark-led executive of the ADC and nullified Atiku’s candidacy.
Keyamo recalled the supreme court’s 2019 judgment which nullified the victories of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Zamfara, from the governorship to the state house of assembly, and declared their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponents winners.
On May 24, 2019, Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the general election, commended the apex court for the judgment, describing it as victory for the rule of law.
In a statement issued by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, the former vice-president said: “Nothing is as pleasing to the ears of believers, as justice being served in the holy month of Ramadan.”
Keyamo questioned why opposition parties would accuse the judiciary of bias and attack judges when court decisions go against them, but commend the same institution when judgments favour them.
The minister also cited the supreme court’s February 13, 2020 judgment which nullified David Lyon’s election as governor of Bayelsa, a day before his scheduled inauguration, leading to the emergence of Douye Diri, the PDP candidate and current governor of the state.
Keyamo said the APC accepted the court’s decisions at the time without attacking the judiciary.
“You cannot abuse judges and blackmail the judiciary when it doesn’t go your way,” he said.
“Heavens WILL NOT FALL IF A CERTAIN ATIKU ABUBAKAR IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN 2027.”
In a judgment delivered earlier on Thursday, Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal, ruling in favour of Nafiu Bala, a former national deputy chairman of the ADC (north-east).
Lifu also invalidated all decisions taken by the party’s caretaker committee, including the nomination of Atiku as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
Keyamo, in an initial reaction, had said the judgment demonstrated that law is based on facts and evidence rather than sentiments and outrage.
He argued that Atiku and the Mark-led executive cannot “invade and hijack” a political party without dire consequences.
