Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN)

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has rubbished the decision of the Nigerian Demcoratic Congress (NDC) to zone its presidency to the Southern part of Nigeria.

The NDC made the announcement last week, stating that whoever emerges as its candidate will serve for just one term of four years to enable the north produce the next president in 2031.

However, Keyamo believes the decision is fraud, citing instances that can lead to the agreement disregarded.

He said on X, “THE NDC AND ITS ‘419’ DECISION.

“The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians. It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit.

“So, what happens if Peter Obi changes his Party, assuming he wins, or as leader of the NDC he gets the NEC of the Party to reverse the decision, if in the unlikely event he wins? This is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians; it smacks of outright desperation and actually accentuates the dilemma of the opposition a whole in the 2027 Presidential elections.

“It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419.”

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was notably absent as the APC screened 14 governors seeking re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections. President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, was also screened.

The screening committee, chaired by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, assessed governors, including Abba Yusuf (Kano), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta). Fubara reportedly obtained nomination forms through a proxy against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s opposition.

Key Points:

Fubara’s absence raises questions about his political future amid his ongoing feud with predecessor Nyesom Wike.
President Tinubu, facing only one challenger, suggests the party’s nomination is all but settled.
The screening of 14 governors shows most APC state chief executives are seeking re-election.
Aspirants from Bauchi and Kwara states expressed concerns about consensus being used to manipulate primaries.
Timing of the screening, ahead of primaries starting May 15, keeps APC on track for INEC’s election calendar.

Sources: The Punch, Vanguard

Beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in Anambra State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office and donated N10,735,500 towards the purchase of his expression of interest form.

Speaking at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Igbariam on Friday, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council in Anambra State, Ifeanyichukwu Chukwuemeka, described the gesture as a show of appreciation for Tinubu’s educational reforms and youth-focused policies. The students said the endorsement recognises the impact of the loan scheme on access to higher education.

Key Points:

Students who benefited from government loans are now publicly backing the president’s re-election.
The N10.7 million donation raises questions about where students sourced such a large sum.
Other NELFUND beneficiaries across Nigeria may feel pressure to show similar political support.
The president’s educational policies gain visible grassroots validation from direct beneficiaries.
The timing of this endorsement, well before the 2027 election, helps build early momentum for Tinubu’s campaign.

Sources: The Punch