Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has publicly challenged Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his claim that his vehicle was unjustly clamped at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, describing the allegation as misleading after an internal investigation reportedly reviewed airport CCTV footage. The minister has now demanded a public apology and payment of a ₦25,000 parking fine, warning that failure to comply within one week could prompt further action by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The dispute has quickly developed into another high-profile political confrontation, with supporters of both men fiercely defending their positions. While Peter Obi had suggested the incident reflected a pattern of political persecution, Festus Keyamo insists the available evidence points instead to a routine enforcement of airport regulations, arguing that no individual should be exempt from rules designed to protect public safety.
Festus Keyamo Challenges Peter Obi Over Airport Tyre-Clamping Incident After CCTV Review
According to Festus Keyamo, he ordered an internal inquiry after Peter Obi publicly alleged that his vehicle’s tyres were clamped as part of a persecution agenda by the Federal Government. The minister said he considered it his responsibility to establish the facts because every Nigerian deserves fair treatment under the law, regardless of political affiliation.
Keyamo stated that CCTV cameras covering the entire Abuja airport captured the sequence of events. According to his account, Peter Obi arrived at the domestic terminal on the evening of July 4, 2026, and proceeded into the terminal building while the police officer driving his vehicle initially parked in a designated drop-off area. The minister alleged that the driver repeatedly left the vehicle unattended, contrary to airport regulations requiring drivers to remain behind the wheel in that zone.
The Aviation Minister further claimed that airport security officials eventually clamped the vehicle after it remained unattended for approximately thirty minutes. He maintained that officers enforcing the regulations had no knowledge that the vehicle belonged to Peter Obi, arguing that the enforcement action was based solely on an observed parking violation and established airport procedures.
According to Keyamo, the police officer later contacted Peter Obi by telephone, after which the former Anambra State governor allegedly spoke with airport management and requested that the vehicle be released. The minister claimed the vehicle was released without payment of the prescribed fine, describing the incident as an example of influence being used to avoid a sanction that ordinarily applies to all motorists.
Festus Keyamo Says CCTV Contradicts Peter Obi’s Claims of Airport Persecution
Festus Keyamo argued that Peter Obi’s subsequent public comments transformed what he described as a routine parking enforcement issue into a national political controversy. He accused the opposition figure of attempting to portray lawful enforcement as political persecution, insisting that such allegations unfairly targeted airport workers who were simply carrying out their official responsibilities.
The minister has consequently demanded that Peter Obi publicly apologise to airport personnel and voluntarily return to pay the ₦25,000 fine for the parking violation. He further warned that if those demands are not met within one week, he would direct FAAN to consider appropriate next steps in accordance with existing regulations.
The controversy has already generated widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape and social media, with supporters of Peter Obi questioning the minister’s conclusions and calling for the full CCTV footage to be made publicly available for independent assessment. Others have welcomed Keyamo’s decision to provide a detailed explanation, arguing that transparency is essential whenever allegations involving public institutions arise.
The incident has also renewed discussions about accountability for public officials and political leaders. Legal analysts note that airport security rules exist primarily to prevent unattended vehicles from creating safety risks, particularly at sensitive transport facilities where international security standards require strict enforcement.
Whether the dispute ends with an apology, legal proceedings or continued political disagreement remains uncertain. What is clear is that the confrontation has evolved beyond a simple parking dispute into a broader debate over accountability, public perception and the responsibilities of political leaders when presenting allegations against government institutions. OGM News Nigeria will continue to monitor responses from Peter Obi, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders as the matter develops.
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