Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development believes that the obsession of Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President with his perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.
Keyamo said this in a post on his official X account on Wednesday after Atiku announced that he had resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Keyamo, the timing of Atiku’s announcement of his resignation from the PDP is wrong, especially at a time that Nigerians are mourning following the death of Muhammadu Buhari, the former president.
“Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at anytime you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself,” Keyamo wrote on X.
“In fact (as the image below shows) you prepared, typed, signed and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former president was announced.
“With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.”
Keyamo stated that on the issue of Atiku’s letter, it is both morally and legally wrong for the former vice president to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in his private or political communications when he stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago.
Quoting Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Keyamo said this makes Atiku’s action an offence.
Morally, according to the minister, it is also reprehensible for Atiku to use a symbol suggesting that he is acting on behalf of the authority which that symbol represents, saying that it borders on impersonation.
“Imagine a situation where all former government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political or private communications, there would certainly be confusion everywhere,” Keyamo said.
“I have a bounded duty both as a cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution. Please, be well guided.”
