“Pedestrian joke”: Festus Keyamo Mocks new opposition party

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, recently dismissed the newly formed opposition party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).

He characterized it as an overhyped and unserious venture that lacks substance and credibility.

On Friday, he took to his verified X account to ridicule this effort.

He labeled the ADA a “pedestrian joke” that pales in comparison to the historic coalition of 2013.

This coalition ultimately led to the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has significantly impacted Nigeria’s political landscape.

Keyamo argued that the ADA lacks the credibility and broad-based support that defined the APC’s formation.

Unlike the APC, which united major political factions, he claimed the ADA is merely a private initiative with no backing from established parties.

“If they aim to replicate the APC’s success, this is nothing but a laughable imitation,” he stated. “This is just a registration attempt—not a real coalition.”

The minister further criticized the move as a desperate publicity stunt, calling it “psychological warfare” designed to mislead the public.

He compared it to past failed political ventures that emerged with grand promises but quickly faded into obscurity.

“After all the noise, it’s just a few individuals filing paperwork,” he said. “The hype doesn’t match the reality.”

Reports suggest that the ADA is backed by prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The group, operating under the National Opposition Coalition, reportedly submitted its registration to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 19, with official acknowledgment following a day later.

Despite the buzz, Keyamo and other skeptics doubt the party’s potential to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Many question whether it can gain enough momentum to challenge the dominance of existing parties.

As of now, details about the ADA’s leadership, structure, and policies remain vague.

Political analysts are watching closely to see if the party can transition from mere registration to becoming a credible force.

Until then, critics like Keyamo will likely continue to dismiss it as another fleeting political experiment.

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