The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has criticized what he described as a growing trend among certain journalists and opposition figures who claim to speak on behalf of “the Nigerian people.”
In a strongly worded opinion, Keyamo argued that some commentators and self-styled activists project their personal biases as the collective will of Nigerians without any credible basis for such claims. He questioned how these individuals arrive at conclusions that they attribute to the general population.
According to him, references to “the Nigerian people” often appear to reflect the voices of a small and visible minority ,including protesters who assemble at the gates of the National Assembly for media attention, a handful of lawmakers who dissent from overwhelming legislative majorities, frequent television commentators, and vocal social media users.
Keyamo maintained that such groups do not necessarily represent the broader national consensus and cautioned against equating amplified minority opinions with the views of the entire country.
As Nigeria approaches another election season, he urged citizens to remain vigilant and discerning. He alleged that some journalists, commentators, and activists who present themselves as neutral may, in fact, be aligned with specific political interests, even if they do not openly declare their affiliations.
The minister emphasized the need for transparency in political engagement, suggesting that individuals who hold partisan positions should openly identify the interests they represent rather than framing their views as universally held by Nigerians.
