The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has taken a swipe at a newly emerging political movement, claiming it lacks the structure or influence to recreate the historic 2013 coalition that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The new platform, known as the All Democratic Coalition (ADC), is reportedly being spearheaded by the National Opposition Coalition Group.
Notable figures said to be involved include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Umar Ardo, a former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
These political actors are believed to be working together to present an alternative front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The registration of the group as a political party was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday and acknowledged by the commission the following day. However, Keyamo remains unconvinced about its potential impact.
In a post shared through his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the minister called the development “a pedestrian joke,” comparing it unfavorably with the 2013 alliance that gave birth to the APC. “If they are thinking of recreating what the APC did in 2013, then this is nothing but a pedestrian joke; a complete mockery of that seismic political coalition,” he wrote.
Keyamo noted that the hype surrounding the ADC is not supported by real political strength. He said the entire move appears to be a publicity tactic meant to gain attention rather than a serious political strategy.
“This is just a simple application for party registration. There is nothing like a ‘coalition’ here,” he wrote, pointing out that no officially registered political parties are part of the current effort.
He also noted that the initiative lacks the backing of key political institutions, suggesting it is more of a private idea than a national movement. “This is not different from several political associations springing up every day for the same purpose,” he added.
Keyamo described the entire effort as overblown and disappointing. “After all the razzmatazz, 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.”
