Keyamo warns politicians sending kids abroad while inciting election violence
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo says some politicians are inciting thugs and ordinary Nigerians to take up arms under the guise of "protecting votes" ahead of the 2027 elections, while ensuring their own children are safely overseas.
Posting on X today, Keyamo recalled former President Buhari's 2019 directive that security forces should deal with anyone using weapons pretending to protect votes. Keyamo endorsed this stance, stating it remains right for police to stop such actors.
The minister's pointed remark: politicians pushing violence have already sent their kids abroad to safety. "The kids of the politicians will be watching how foolish you are from a safe place somewhere in the world," he wrote.
This follows rising political tensions with the 2027 election cycle approaching. Keyamo's comments come amid exchanges between ruling party and opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Security experts have long warned that election periods see spikes in political thuggery, often fueled by politicians who avoid personal risk.
Before you join any "vote protection" group, ask: where are the organizer's children? If they're safe abroad while you're handed a weapon, you're not protecting democracy—you're protecting someone's ambition.