Keyamo Dismisses ADC-Led Coalition as “Pedestrian Joke,” Says APC’s 2013 Model Can’t Be Recreated

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has openly ridiculed the formation of a new opposition political alliance, branding it a laughable attempt to mimic the historic coalition that gave rise to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Keyamo described the move as “a pedestrian joke” and “a complete mockery of that seismic political coalition.” He argued that the opposition’s current efforts lack the depth, planning, and seriousness that characterized the APC merger over a decade ago.

Keyamo stated, “If they are thinking of recreating what the APC did in 2013, then this is nothing but a pedestrian joke.” According to him, what the APC achieved took years of political engineering and was the product of a well-orchestrated merger of major political movements — a far cry from what he labeled an overhyped registration of a new party.

ADC Coalition Described as Hollow and Lacking Structure

The proposed opposition movement, championed by the National Opposition Coalition Group, includes heavyweight politicians such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), along with Umar Ardo of the League of Northern Democrats. The group has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform and reportedly submitted its registration application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday.

Keyamo dismissed the entire effort as a hollow political stunt lacking institutional backing. “This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a ‘coalition’ here. It is an unnecessary hype… psychological warfare on Nigerians,” he wrote.

He further insisted that no officially registered political parties were involved in the merger effort, reducing the initiative to what he called a private political experiment. “It boils down to the fact that a new political party is just attempting registration by a few Nigerians — it is a disappointing anti-climax to all the preceding pomp and pageantry.”

No Comparison to 2013 APC Coalition, Minister Says

Keyamo stressed that what happened in 2013 was not simply a political agreement, but a powerful consolidation of structures, ideologies, and national networks. He emphasized that the APC was built on years of groundwork following the 2011 elections, with a long-term strategy to win national power.

He said, “It is impossible to form a coalition now that could unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Successful mergers require years of groundwork and deep organizational cohesion.”

Highlighting the contrast, Keyamo pointed out that while the APC was formed from four major opposition parties with national reach — the ACN, CPC, ANPP, and a faction of APGA — the ADC lacks that scale and grassroots penetration. “Size and structure matter,” he said bluntly.

ADC Not Enough to Challenge APC Dominance

The Aviation Minister also questioned the choice of the ADC as the political platform for the proposed alliance, describing it as a party with limited presence and organizational capacity. He argued that switching platforms or forming alliances without a deep grassroots connection will not suffice against the APC’s entrenched nationwide machinery.

He wrote, “Without well‑entrenched structures akin to the APC, mere platform switching or forming loose alliances dramatically weakens their chances.”

Keyamo warned that the political terrain leading to the 2027 elections will demand more than the “razmatazz” and “psychological warfare” currently being waged by the opposition. He noted that mass appeal cannot be manufactured overnight, especially without a serious long-term political strategy.

APC’s Structural Strength Will Prevail, Keyamo Insists

Concluding his remarks, Keyamo reiterated that the APC remains unmatched in its structural and demographic strength. According to him, the party’s national presence, leadership cohesion, and electoral machinery put it far ahead of any recently cobbled-together alliance.

“After all is said and done, the APC remains the party with the deepest roots and broadest support across Nigeria,” he declared confidently. He likened the ADC-led effort to “a storm in a teacup” that “will not withstand the strength of the structure of the All Progressives Congress.”

With his bold remarks, Keyamo not only sought to deflate the optimism of opposition leaders but also reaffirmed APC’s dominance ahead of the next electoral cycle. The opposition’s response to his scathing critique will likely set the tone for political battles leading up to 2027.