Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has formally responded to allegations from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo regarding a parking incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Obi’s media representative, Zekeri Idris, issued a statement on Saturday characterizing the minister’s claims as inaccurate and politically motivated.
The dispute stems from a directive issued by Keyamo, who demanded that Obi publicly apologize and pay a N25,000 fine for a parking violation, warning of further repercussions if the candidate failed to comply. Obi’s team refutes this, noting that the incident described by the minister differs significantly from the one Obi recounted in a recent interview, specifically regarding his presence at the scene.
The statement highlights a troubling trend of multiple vehicles associated with Obi being targeted, which the camp views as selective enforcement. Furthermore, the spokesperson clarified that Obi lacks the police or civil defense protection typically afforded to major opposition figures, rejecting the assertion that he employs a police officer as a driver.
Obi’s team also contested the timeline of the airport incident, noting that the vehicle was present for roughly five minutes rather than the 30 minutes claimed by the minister. They questioned why other vehicles parked nearby remained untouched while theirs was clamped. The statement also expressed security concerns over Keyamo posting CCTV footage of Obi’s movements online, which they argue compromises the safety of a high-profile opposition leader.
Finally, the statement challenged Keyamo’s authority, questioning whether he is acting as an investigator and judge simultaneously. By calling out the minister’s conduct, Obi’s camp suggested that the incident reflects broader concerns regarding the impartial application of the law and the treatment of opposition figures in Nigeria.
