Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has publicly criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for announcing his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Nigeria’s national mourning for late President Muhammadu Buhari. Keyamo said the timing appeared calculated to divert attention away from the solemn national event.
Taking to his verified social media page, Keyamo acknowledged Atiku’s right to leave his party but described the action as selfish and poorly timed. He accused Atiku of seeking political attention when the country should be united in grief. According to Keyamo, the letter was released just a day after Buhari’s death was confirmed, a move he described as a clear show of disregard for the former president’s memory.
He also criticised Atiku for including the Nigerian Coat of Arms in his resignation letter, arguing that it was improper and unlawful. Citing Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Keyamo warned that such use of national symbols by private individuals could mislead the public and erode the respect those emblems command.
Keyamo, who also serves as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stressed his duty to uphold the law and protect national values, stating that using official symbols in a personal political decision borders on impersonation.
As of now, Atiku has not publicly addressed the allegations. His departure from the PDP has stirred speculation about his next political move as attention begins to shift toward the 2027 elections.
