The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly disregard a presidential nomination that has been given to him even in absentia by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP led by Tanimu Turaki.
The minister made the call on Sunday, May 31st, via the microblogging platform, X, where he described the development as a “bizarre comedy” and also criticised those behind it for allegedly dragging the former President into what he called a political charade.
According to Keyamo, it is inappropriate for individuals not recognised on the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) website to claim they offered Jonathan a presidential ticket.
“This is some kind of bizarre comedy taken too far by supposedly grown adults and some names that were actually in the corridors of power at some point in this country,” Keyamo said.
He further questioned the credibility of those involved, saying they were not even registered on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’ website.
“Giving a whole presidential ticket to an ex-president and statesman by proxy and by a bunch of people not even registered on INEC’s website. And they don’t give a hoot dragging such a revered figure into their charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere. Quite sad,” he stated.
Keyamo urged Jonathan to clarify his position immediately to avoid any misconceptions about his involvement.
“For the sake of his global image, President Goodluck Jonathan must immediately issue a strong ‘No, thank you’ statement,” Keyamo said.
The minister warned that Jonathan’s silence could revive public debate about his administration and the circumstances that led to his defeat in the 2015 presidential election.
“Lest Nigerians begin to recall the ‘clueless’ campaign that got him out of power, the first sitting president to be so ousted,” he added.
