Keyamo Slams Atiku Over PDP Exit Amid Buhari’s Mourning
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has berated former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for announcing his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the nation’s mourning of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Vice President announced his resignation from the party with immediate effect.
He explained that he left the party due to irreconcilable differences.
He said: “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. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.”
In a post on his X handle, Keyamo described the timing of Atiku’s resignation as an attempt to divert attention from the solemn occasion to himself.
He said that while it was within the constitutional rights of the former Vice President to change political parties at will, releasing his resignation letter during the mourning period was inappropriate.
“It is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time 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,” he wrote.
The Minister alleged that Atiku prepared and signed the resignation letter the morning after the death of Buhari was announced.
He wrote: “With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.”
Keyamo also faulted the Atiku for using the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government on his private and political communications.
He described the act as both morally and legally wrong.
“Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 makes this an offence. 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.”
The Minister warned that if all former government functionaries continued to use the Coat of Arms in their personal, political, or private communications, it would cause confusion nationwide.
He stressed his duty as a Cabinet member and Senior Advocate of Nigeria to uphold the laws and constitution of the country.
“I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution. Please, be well guided,” he wrote.
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