The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has criticised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over his recent advice to former president Goodluck Jonathan on next year’s general elections.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the PDP said Keyamo lacks the moral authority to advise Jonathan.

DAILY POST reports that Keyamo had asked the ex-president to shelve the idea of running for president in 2027.

Recall that the factional PDP had affirmed Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The party said it was rather ironic that Keyamo, a man who built his public profile through relentless criticism of governments and public office holders, now seeks to deny others the very democratic space he once occupied with such enthusiasm.

It also recalled that Keyamo who challenged those in power, spoke against perceived injustices and approached the courts in defence of democratic principles.

The party expressed shock that Keyamo now appears very comfortable with the administration’s asphyxiation of the political space against the opposition, while at the same time being totally uncomfortable with citizens and political parties exercising their democratic rights.

The statement read: “Instead of concerning himself with the internal affairs of the PDP, the Minister would do well to devote his energy to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the aviation sector and the wider administration of which he is a part.

“Nigerians are far more interested in solutions to the worsening economic hardship, persistent insecurity, declining purchasing power, and the growing insecurity across the country than in unsolicited political advice directed at President Jonathan.

“A minister who could not effectively implement a simple cashless policy is not the best person to offer advice to a former President.

“Under the APC administration, Nigerians have witnessed unprecedented economic difficulties, repeated collapse of critical infrastructure, rising unemployment, and corruption scandals that continue to raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability in government. These are the issues deserving of the Minister’s commentary and advise to the incumbent president.

“The obvious nervousness that has greeted President Jonathan’s candidacy is understandable, because Nigerians have not forgotten that under his administration, the country enjoyed political stability, sustained economic growth, increased foreign investor confidence, and a more inclusive national atmosphere.

“It is therefore not surprising that many citizens are prevailing on him to return to power to offer stability, national healing and more importantly to reduce the political temperature of the country.

“We can assure Keyamo and the APC that no amount of intimidation, blackmail, or scaremongering can prevent Nigerians from freely expressing their political preferences or supporting leaders they believe can help reposition the country.”

Ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the commencement of Permanent Voter Card, PVC, collection for registered voters in the state.

In a statement, the commission said PVC collection began on Monday, June 1, 2026, at designated registration areas and wards across the 16 local government areas.

The ward-level collection will run from June 1 to June 14, 2026. Thereafter, collection will continue at INEC Local Government Area offices from June 15 to June 21, 2026, daily between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., including weekends.

The commission urged all registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so within the stipulated period.

“PVC collection is critical to voter participation. Only voters with valid PVCs will be accredited and allowed to vote on election day,” the statement said.

INEC reiterated that the PVC remains the only document acceptable for voter accreditation and voting at polling units.

The commission advised voters to check the collection centres assigned to them and to come with their temporary voter cards or any valid means of identification for verification.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured residents that the commission has put measures in place to ensure a seamless and transparent collection process.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, and the media to sensitise citizens, especially women, youths, and persons with disabilities, to collect their PVCs.

An aggrieved political association, All Democratic Alliance, ADA, and its Protem Director of Mobilization, Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order of the Court to compel the electoral body to withdraw the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party in Nigeria

The grouse of ADA and Karlahi are predicated on allegations that the Senator Seriake Dickson led NDC was illegally and fraudulently registered by INEC as a political party for the purpose of participating in election matters in the country. 

In a suit with number FHC/ ABJ/CS/1115/2026, the two plaintiffs alleged that INEC gravely breached, disobeyed, ignored, omitted and deliberately failed to ensure compliance with relevant laws in the ways and manners NDC was secretly registered. 

Among others, Karlahi and ADA alleged that the electoral umpire failed to comply with sections 1, 6, 13, 14, 222, 251 of the 1999 Constitution and sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act in the registration of the NDC. 

In the suit instituted on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Bankole Joel Akomolafe via an originating summons, the two plaintiffs claimed that NDC never met any of the Constitutional requirements for it to qualify for registration as a political party. 

Besides, they asserted that INEC has no unfettered and unrestricted discretion to register the NDC as a political party. 

They therefore prayed the Federal High Court to issue an order against INEC to void, set aside, cancelled and revoke the purported certificate of registration in possession of NDC. 

The two plaintiffs also sought order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from further recognizing, accepting, maintaining in its records or present any person on the authority of NDC as a political party for any election. 

Another order of perpetual injunction was sought against NDC restraining it from parading, introducing, presenting or call itself a registered political party either by publication, broadcast or any other means. 

The suit instituted on June 2, 2026 was supported by a 25 paragraph affidavit deposed to by the first plaintiff, Hon Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi. 

While Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi and All Democratic Alliance are the two plaintiffs, INEC and Nigeria Democratic Congress are listed as the two defendants. 

Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for hearing of the new suit.