Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has taken a swipe at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its coalition partners, accusing them of attempting to deceive Nigerians with what he termed “expired 419 tactics” repackaged as political messaging.
Keyamo made the remarks on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, where he responded to recent criticisms levelled against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly by opposition figures like Nasir El-Rufai, who recently declared that Nigeria’s survival would be at risk if the APC retained power in 2027.
The aviation minister, who previously served as a federal prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said he is familiar with the “formats” the opposition is deploying—describing them as manipulative strategies designed to provoke public anger using distorted data and sensationalism.
“I know them very well, and they know us too. These tactics they are employing are not new—they’re expired. These are the same 419 formats that have been used for decades,” Keyamo said.
“I was an EFCC prosecutor. I’ve seen these kinds of deception up close. You take a few isolated economic figures, paint them in the worst possible light, and then project them as a national crisis. Nigerians are smarter now. These formats can no longer work.”
He dismissed the opposition’s strategy as a recycled playbook built on misinformation, half-truths, and fear-mongering, arguing that Nigerians deserve facts and context rather than emotional manipulation.
Keyamo also defended the economic trajectory of the Tinubu administration, saying that while inflation and cost of living remain key challenges, several macroeconomic indicators show steady improvement. He cited rising foreign reserves, a stabilising naira, and increasing federal revenue as signs that the government’s economic reforms are beginning to take effect.
“The real question, going forward, is: have we gotten the macroeconomics right? The answer is yes,” he said. “Inflation is beginning to ease. The naira is stabilising. Our foreign reserves are going up, and revenues are climbing. These are not opinions—they are hard numbers.”
He added that the effects of these improvements would gradually trickle down to the average Nigerian through job creation, infrastructure development, and better living standards in the coming months.
Keyamo further dismissed the ADC and other opposition coalitions as being driven by desperation rather than a coherent vision for Nigeria. He said their recent moves—such as adopting El-Rufai and other defectors—reflect nothing but political opportunism and a lack of ideological clarity.
“This so-called coalition is nothing more than a gathering of strange bedfellows—people who have been rejected by their parties or expelled for misconduct,” he said. “What are they offering Nigerians? Nothing but confusion, noise, and recycled propaganda.”
The minister assured Nigerians that the APC, despite its current challenges, remains the most viable and structured political platform in the country, with a clear roadmap for economic growth, national security, and infrastructural transformation.
“The APC is not perfect, but it is solid. We have the structure, we have the demographic support, and we are delivering. Nigerians should focus on the bigger picture, not the distractions of people who have nothing to offer but recycled bitterness.”
The remarks come amid growing political tensions as the 2027 general elections draw nearer, with the opposition intensifying its criticisms and coalition-building efforts. Keyamo’s comments reflect the ruling party’s intent to push back forcefully against narratives that paint the administration as failing.
