Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has slammed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the timing of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku announced his resignation from the PDP amid growing speculation about his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former vice president, in the letter, said that the party’s crises are becoming irreconcilable, limiting its
chances of competing in the forthcoming election.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for,” Atiku stated in his resignation letter.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.”
Reacting to this, Keyamo, in a tweet, described Atiku’s public release of his resignation letter as “an attempt to draw the spotlight” away from the national mourning period following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday.
Keyamo claimed that Atiku prepared and signed the letter less than 24 hours after Buhari’s death was announced on Sunday, adding that it demonstrates Atiku’s obsession with his perennial presidential ambition and shows no sympathy or empathy.
“Your Excellency, Atiku, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of mourning for our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it onto yourself,” Keyamo wrote.
“In fact (as the image below shows), you prepared, typed, signed, and delivered that letter the morning after the passing 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.”
He also accused Atiku of violating the law by featuring the Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic on his resignation letter, despite having left public office over 18 years ago.
Citing Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Keyamo said that using the Federal Government’s Coat of Arms in political or private communications after leaving public office more than 18 years ago is “morally and legally wrong.”
The minister added, “Morally, it is also reprehensible to use a symbol suggesting that you are acting on behalf of the authority which that symbol represents. 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.
“I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and Constitution.”
