The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has demanded a public apology from former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over a recent incident involving the clamping of his vehicle’s tires at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Keyamo, who ordered an internal investigation into Obi’s claim that his vehicle was “unjustly” clamped at the airport, said findings from CCTV footage showed that the action by airport security personnel was in line with established airport regulations.
According to the minister in a statement released Friday night, the investigation revealed that Obi’s vehicle was parked unattended at the domestic terminal’s drop-off zone, creating a security concern.
He said airport rules require drivers to remain with vehicles temporarily parked within the area, adding that the vehicle was eventually clamped after the driver left it unattended.
Keyamo explained that the vehicle was released after Obi spoke with an airport manager and requested its release, adding that the required penalty was not paid.
He accused the opposition politician of attempting to portray a routine enforcement action as political persecution, insisting that the airport workers involved were only carrying out their official duties.
The minister stated that Obi’s position as a former governor and presidential candidate should not exempt him from compliance with airport regulations, stressing the importance of equality before the law.
Keyamo consequently issued two demands to Obi. First, he asked the former governor to tender an unreserved public apology to the airport workers whom he said were unfairly portrayed as persecutors.
Secondly, he demanded that Obi return to the airport and pay the N25,000 fine for wrongful parking.
The minister warned that failure to meet the demands within one week would compel him to direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take further action.