Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused opposition figure Peter Obi of parking illegally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and is demanding a public apology alongside payment of a N25,000 fine.
In a statement released Wednesday, Keyamo said he ordered an internal probe after Obi claimed his vehicle tyres were “unjustly” clamped, alleging a “persecution agenda” by the Federal Government.
Citing CCTV footage from the airport, Keyamo said Obi arrived at the domestic terminal on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 8:28 pm in a vehicle driven by a police officer. According to the Minister, the driver parked in the drop-off zone, left the car unattended and went into the terminal. Airport rules require that a driver remain behind the wheel in that area, he noted.
Keyamo said the driver returned briefly at about 8:32 pm, collected an item and went back inside, leaving the vehicle unattended for roughly 30 minutes. He described the period as a security risk under global aviation standards. It was at that point, he added, that airport security staff clamped the tyres.
The Minister further alleged that after discovering the clamp, the driver called Obi, who then spoke with the airport manager and asked for the vehicle to be released. Keyamo said the car was released without the required fine being paid.
He dismissed Obi’s claim of persecution as an attempt to “whip up unnecessary sentiments for a wrong he committed with his driver,” and also rejected Obi’s assertion that other vehicles were similarly parked that day.
In light of the findings, Keyamo said Obi should tender an unreserved public apology to the airport workers he accused and voluntarily return to the airport to pay the N25,000 penalty for wrongful parking. The Minister warned that failure to comply within one week would compel him to direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to take further steps.
Keyamo said the CCTV recordings have been made available to the public to show what transpired.
