Keyamo Directs FAAN To Fine Obi ₦25,000 For Wrongful Parking At Airport, Demands Apology

Keyamo also demanded that the 2027 presidential candidate tender an apology to airport staff over allegation that they “unjustly” clamped down on him, suggesting a “persecution agenda” against him by the Federal Government.

Obi had claimed during a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo that his car was clamped for wrongful parking, even though several other vehicles were parked in the same location.

However, in a statement on Friday, Keyamo noted that the vehicle that dropped Obi off at the airport flouted the rule because it parked in a prohibited zone for about 30 minutes.

“As the Minister of Aviation, I felt a moral duty to investigate and authenticate the claim made by opposition candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, a few days ago that the tyres of his car were ‘unjustly’ clamped at the airport, suggesting a ‘persecution agenda’ against him by the Federal Government. Politics aside, every Nigerian is entitled to fair treatment under the law,” Keyamo said.

“I therefore instituted an internal inquiry over the issue. Luckily enough, the entire Abuja airport is covered by CCTV cameras, real-time, 24/7. But apparently, this fact was unknown to Mr. Peter Obi. Otherwise, perhaps he would have been more circumspect before rushing to the media to cry ‘persecution’.”

Keyamo added that the airport rule requires a driver to remain behind the wheel of the vehicle for it to be tolerated for some time within the drop-off zone; however, Obi and other passengers exited the vehicle.

According to him, their action constitutes a security risk at an airport by global best practices, adding that airport security staff clamped the tyres of the car after all the occupants in the vehicle alighted and went to the terminal building.