Keyamo accuses Atiku, Obi of inciting 2027 election violence while children safe abroad
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo on Tuesday accused opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of encouraging Nigerians to take up weapons for the January 16, 2027 presidential election while their own children remain safely abroad. In a post on X, Keyamo claimed politicians who have "safely ferried their children abroad" are now urging "hapless citizens and thugs to take up weapons to kill one another under the pretext of 'protecting their votes.'"
Keyamo invoked former President Buhari's 2019 warning—which he said he supported then and still supports—that anyone resorting to "self-help" with dangerous weapons to attack others under the guise of protecting votes could be "lawfully neutralised" by security operatives. "The children of the politicians will be watching your foolishness from their safe haven somewhere in the world," he added.
The remarks come amid opposition calls for voters to protect their mandates in the upcoming election. Keyamo did not provide specific evidence for his claims about the politicians' children's locations or direct incitement quotes from Atiku or Obi.
Political rhetoric is escalating sharply ahead of the 2027 polls. Security agencies have not publicly responded to Keyamo's reference to "neutralising" armed civilians. Verify claims independently before sharing. As election tensions rise, understand that security forces may act decisively against anyone bearing arms at polling units—regardless of political affiliation.