Keyamo Demands Apology from Peter Obi Over Airport Incident
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has called for a public apology from Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). This request follows Obi’s allegations that his vehicle was unjustly detained at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, which Keyamo has categorized as false.
In a statement released on his X-page, Keyamo urged Obi to pay a fine of N25,000 for breaching airport parking regulations. He cautioned that failure to settle this fine within a week could result in further action by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Keyamo stated that he initiated an internal inquiry after Obi suggested that the incident represented a larger pattern of political victimization against him. The minister pointed to airport surveillance footage, which allegedly shows Obi’s car parked unattended in a designated drop-off zone for approximately 30 minutes, violating established airport guidelines.
“Politics aside, all Nigerians deserve fair treatment under the law,” Keyamo remarked, emphasizing the importance of accountability. He confirmed that an internal investigation into the matter has been launched.
Minister Disagrees with Obi’s Account
Keyamo detailed the events leading up to the incident, noting that footage indicated Obi arrived at the airport at around 8:28 PM on July 4. He entered the terminal accompanied by two other passengers after exiting a car driven by a police officer. The officer left the vehicle unattended for a brief moment to retrieve some items, leading to security personnel tightening the tires, he stated.
Keyamo asserted that he was unaware the vehicle belonged to Obi at the time when airport authorities took action against it. He further claimed that the police officer who noticed the vehicle’s predicament reached out to Obi, facilitating communication with airport management regarding the situation.
According to Keyamo, Obi later approached the authorities demanding the vehicle’s release but left without paying the required fine. He stressed the dangers of leaving vehicles in drop-off zones, particularly in high-traffic international airports, asserting that such practices pose safety risks.
“This situation exemplifies how opposition figures attempt to incite unnecessary emotions regarding the violations committed by motorists,” Keyamo commented. He dismissed Obi’s assertion that other improperly parked vehicles were overlooked, labeling that claim as unfounded.
Public Apology and Fine Call
The minister insisted that Obi owes a public apology to the airport staff whom he accused of harassment while executing their lawful responsibilities. He also urged the former governor of Anambra to return to the airport voluntarily to settle the N25,000 fine for illegal parking.
“Should these requests not be fulfilled within a week, I will instruct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to pursue the necessary subsequent actions,” Keyamo stated.
Broader Context of Allegations
Previously, Obi appeared on the podcast “With Tude,” expressing concerns that he may not live to contest in the 2027 presidential election due to a series of alleged harassment incidents directed at him and his associates. He highlighted the airport incident as one of the examples of this harassment, claiming that his vehicle was clamped while others in the same vicinity were ignored. Obi further asserted that some colleagues are hesitant to associate with him publicly for fear of government retaliation.
Official Response from the Presidential Palace
The presidential palace has rejected Obi’s allegations, with Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant on intelligence and strategy, clarifying that the airport incident stemmed from a violation of parking regulations, not a politically motivated act of persecution.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and the Labor Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, switched allegiance to the Nigeria Democratic Congress in December 2025. He is currently running as the Labor Party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 election. As of this report, Obi has not publicly replied to Keyamo’s demands.
