Political Tension Rises As Festus Keyamo Dismisses NDC’s Southern Ticket Strategy As “419 Politics

Speaking during an interview with Vanguard on Sunday, Keyamo questioned the sincerity of the arrangement, arguing that it lacked credibility and could not be relied upon by the electorate.

According to the minister, the decision leaves room for uncertainty, especially if political interests within the party change before the 2027 elections. He maintained that the same leaders who approved the zoning formula could easily reverse it in the future.

Keyamo also mentioned the possibility of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi switching political parties or influencing the coalition to abandon the zoning agreement should he become a dominant figure within the group.

He argued that such possibilities prove that the resolution is not a dependable commitment to Nigerians ahead of the next general election, stressing that political agreements can easily be altered when circumstances change.

“The decision of NDC is an insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians; it is nothing but political 419. So, what happens if Peter Obi changes 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 just a joke taken too far,” Keyamo said.