Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, says he is confident President Bola Tinubu will win a second term in the 2027 presidential election, calling it “a coronation, not an election.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the APC chieftain defended the Tinubu administration and brushed aside the opposition’s chances.
When asked if he could confidently ask Nigerians to vote for the APC again, Keyamo pointed to the party’s recent election victories.
“We have won in Ekiti now. We told them to vote, they voted. FCT they voted, we won,” he said.
Asked about the expected participation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the 2027 race, Keyamo said he was not concerned.
“I’m looking around, between you and me, where will Obi’s votes come from? I can’t see it,” he said.
On whether Atiku would be a major challenge for the APC, Keyamo replied, “Which Atiku? Nightmare who?” before laughing.
He ended the interview by insisting Tinubu’s return was almost guaranteed.
“I want to make a profound statement as a closing statement. Not out of arrogance, not out of overconfidence, but out of pure demographic calculations: the 2027 election is a coronation, not an election.
“I repeat—don’t take me out of context—out of pure demographic calculations, it’s a coronation,” he said.
Tinubu is expected to seek re-election on the APC ticket with Vice President Kashim Shettima. His main rivals are expected to be Atiku and Obi, with Obi contesting alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate in what is shaping up to be a competitive multi-party presidential race.
