Minister demands apology, fine from Peter Obi over airport parking violation

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called for presidential candidate Peter Obi to issue a public apology and pay a N25,000 fine for an alleged parking violation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Keyamo's demand follows an internal inquiry into Obi's claim that his vehicle's tires were "unjustly" clamped.

The minister presented findings from an investigation, supported by CCTV footage, indicating that Obi's vehicle was parked unattended in a restricted zone. Airport security personnel clamped the tires as a result. Keyamo stated that the vehicle was left unattended for approximately 30 minutes, which he described as a security concern under international airport safety practices.

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This is a clear case of an opposition candidate trying to whip up unnecessary sentiments for a wrong he committed with his driver.

Obi had previously alleged that the incident was part of a pattern of political persecution by the Federal Government. However, Keyamo countered that Obi, as a presidential aspirant, should uphold the law and set an example. He accused Obi of attempting to generate unnecessary sentiment over a wrongdoing committed by his driver.

Keyamo has given Obi one week to meet the demands, which include a public apology to airport workers and payment of the fine. Failure to comply, he warned, would lead to directives for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take further steps.

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If these demands are not met within one week, I will be giving the necessary directives to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take the next steps against him.