Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has accused former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding a parking incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The disagreement came to the fore during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where the minister responded to Obi’s earlier claim that his vehicle was clamped at the airport on July 4 as a result of political harassment.
Rejecting the allegation, Keyamo maintained that the action taken by airport authorities was purely administrative and in line with existing operational regulations governing the use of restricted areas within the airport.
According to the minister, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the airport showed that the vehicle was left unattended for approximately 30 minutes in a restricted parking zone, prompting officials to clamp it in accordance with standard procedures.
Keyamo argued that the incident had nothing to do with politics, insisting that airport rules apply equally to all users regardless of their political status or public profile.
He further alleged that Obi ultimately avoided paying the prescribed ₦25,000 parking violation fine through personal influence, adding that no formal apology was offered to airport personnel involved in enforcing the regulations.
The minister’s remarks follow an earlier statement in which he reportedly gave Obi a seven-day ultimatum to pay the fine and apologize to airport staff over the incident.
The exchange has added another chapter to the ongoing political rivalry between the two prominent figures, with supporters of both sides engaging in vigorous debate across traditional and social media platforms.
Supporters of Keyamo argue that public officials and political leaders should be subject to the same regulations as every other citizen and that airport authorities acted within their lawful responsibilities.
On the other hand, supporters of Obi maintain that the former governor’s concerns regarding the handling of the incident deserve attention and have questioned whether the enforcement action was proportionate.
Political analysts note that the dispute reflects the increasingly charged political atmosphere as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, with exchanges between leading political figures becoming more frequent.
They also emphasize that transparency and accountability remain essential in resolving public disputes involving government officials and political leaders.
Aviation experts observe that airports worldwide maintain strict parking and security regulations to ensure operational safety, and unauthorized parking in restricted areas typically attracts penalties regardless of the identity of the motorist.
Neither Peter Obi nor his media team had issued a fresh response to Keyamo’s latest remarks at the time of reporting.
As public debate continues, observers say the controversy underscores the importance of adherence to established regulations while highlighting how routine administrative matters can quickly assume political significance in an increasingly competitive electoral environment.
