The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to apologise and pay a ₦25,000 fine over the clamping of his vehicle at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, insisting that the incident resulted from a traffic violation rather than political persecution.
The minister’s reaction followed Obi’s criticism of the airport authorities after his vehicle was immobilised for allegedly violating parking regulations during a visit to the nation’s capital.
In a statement, Keyamo rejected claims that Obi was deliberately targeted because of his political status, maintaining that the airport’s parking rules apply equally to all users, regardless of their position or affiliation.
According to the minister, Obi’s vehicle was parked in an unauthorised area, prompting officials responsible for traffic management at the airport to clamp it in accordance with established regulations.
Keyamo said the prescribed penalty for the violation is #25,000, urging the former Anambra State governor to settle the fine instead of portraying the enforcement action as an act of intimidation.
“The rules are clear and apply to everyone. Rather than claiming persecution, the appropriate thing to do is to apologise for the traffic violation and pay the stipulated ₦25,000 fine,” the minister said.
He stressed that aviation authorities are committed to enforcing airport regulations impartially to ensure safety, order, and the smooth movement of vehicles and passengers within airport premises.
The minister added that public officials, political leaders, and ordinary citizens are all expected to comply with airport operational guidelines, warning that selective enforcement would undermine public confidence in the rule of law.
The controversy began after Obi alleged that his vehicle was clamped under circumstances he considered unfair, suggesting that the action reflected a pattern of harassment directed at opposition figures.
His comments generated widespread debate on social media, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of the incident. While some argued that the enforcement action was routine, others questioned whether political considerations played any role.
Responding to the claims, Keyamo maintained that there was no political motive behind the incident and insisted that airport personnel acted strictly within the scope of their responsibilities.
He reiterated that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other aviation agencies would continue to enforce regulations uniformly, regardless of the identity of those involved.
The minister also encouraged all airport users to observe designated parking rules and traffic regulations to avoid sanctions and ensure efficient operations at Nigeria’s airports.
The exchange between Keyamo and Obi has added another dimension to the ongoing political discourse between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition figures, with both sides offering contrasting accounts of the incident.
As public reactions continue, the matter has reignited discussions about equal enforcement of public regulations, the responsibilities of public office holders, and the balance between lawful enforcement and perceptions of political victimisation.
