Keyamo Gives Obi Seven Days to Apologise Over Abuja Airport Incident

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has given former Anambra State governor Peter Obi a seven-day ultimatum to publicly apologise to airport officials and pay a ₦25,000 parking fine over an incident involving Obi's vehicle at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The minister said the demand followed the outcome of an internal investigation into the matter.

In a statement issued on Friday, Keyamo said CCTV footage reviewed by aviation authorities showed that Obi's vehicle was lawfully clamped after it was left unattended in a designated drop-off zone at the airport's domestic terminal. According to the minister, the investigation found no evidence to support Obi's allegation that the action was politically motivated.

The minister explained that airport regulations prohibit drivers from abandoning vehicles in restricted areas because of the security risks involved. He stated that although the vehicle was eventually released without payment of the prescribed fine, airport officials were merely carrying out their lawful responsibilities and were unaware that the vehicle belonged to Obi when enforcement action was taken.

Keyamo accused the former presidential candidate of attempting to portray the incident as political persecution after the matter had already been resolved. He maintained that the allegations unfairly damaged the reputation of airport personnel who acted in accordance with established aviation safety procedures.

The minister warned that if Obi fails to issue a public apology and voluntarily pay the outstanding parking fine within seven days, he will direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take further action in line with airport regulations. The incident has since generated widespread public debate over airport security enforcement and the application of regulations to public office holders and political figures.