Festus Keyamo Faces Criticism Over His Remarks on the ADC Court Ruling

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has drawn sharp criticism from columnist Ikechukwu Amaechi over his response to a court ruling affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidates for the 2027 elections. Amaechi’s article says a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu nullified the leadership of Senator David Mark and decisions taken under it, including the party’s election nominations. The writer argues that the decision could leave the ADC without candidates across the ballot, citing comments from lawyer Luka Musa Haruna, who represents one of the people involved in the dispute. The column takes particular issue with Keyamo’s reported remark that “the heavens will not fall” if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is absent from the 2027 ballot. Amaechi portrays the minister as welcoming a ruling that could weaken the opposition, and challenges his use of the phrase, arguing that justice must be upheld even when the consequences are serious. Amaechi also questions the timing of the judgment, noting that it came shortly before the election and after Atiku began campaign activities. He describes the ruling as politically consequential and suggests it will fuel public concern about the fairness of the process. Those claims and interpretations are the columnist’s, rather than findings established in the article. The piece further refers to criticism of Justice Lifu by a Court of Appeal panel, which, according to Amaechi, had previously questioned his fitness for the bench. The writer frames the episode as a test of confidence in the judiciary and accuses Keyamo of dismissing concerns instead of addressing them. The article is an opinion column focused on the minister’s comments and the political fallout from the court’s decision.