Keyamo Taunts ADC After Peter Obi’s Exit, Says Party Treated Ex Labour Candidate ‘Like a Side-Chick’

Keyamo Taunts ADC After Peter Obi’s Exit, Says Party Treated Ex Labour Candidate ‘Like a Side-Chick’

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has sparked fresh political debate after mocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its reaction to the reported exit of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi from the party’s coalition talks.

In a strongly worded reaction shared via social media, Keyamo compared the ADC’s disappointment over Obi’s departure to that of “a jilted bachelor,” claiming the party failed to properly value the former presidential contender despite allegedly seeking to benefit from his political influence and nationwide support base.

The minister further argued that the ADC treated Obi “like a side-chick instead of a wife,” a metaphor that has since generated widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape. Political observers say the comment reflects the increasingly heated rhetoric surrounding opposition coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, who emerged as one of the most influential opposition figures during the 2023 presidential election, has remained a central figure in conversations about coalition-building among opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, recent reports suggest disagreements over leadership structure, party identity, and strategic direction have continued to weaken attempts at a unified opposition front.

While the ADC has not officially released an extensive response to Keyamo’s remarks, supporters of the party and Obi have criticized the minister’s comments as dismissive and unnecessarily provocative. Others within the ruling APC, however, have defended Keyamo’s position, insisting that opposition parties have struggled to provide a coherent political alternative capable of sustaining long term alliances.

Analysts note that Obi’s political movement continues to command significant grassroots support, especially among young Nigerians and urban voters. His future political alignment is therefore expected to play a major role in shaping opposition strategies ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The latest exchange also underscores the broader fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition politics, where coalition negotiations have repeatedly faced setbacks due to ideological differences, competing ambitions, and internal party tensions.