The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to impose a ₦25,000 fine on former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for allegedly violating airport parking regulations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Keyamo also demanded a public apology from the 2027 presidential hopeful, accusing him of making what he described as false claims that airport officials unfairly targeted him and portraying the incident as political persecution.
In a statement issued on Friday, the minister said he ordered an internal investigation after Obi alleged during an interview that his vehicle was clamped despite other cars being parked in the same area.
According to Keyamo, CCTV footage from the airport showed that Obi arrived at the domestic terminal on July 4 at about 8:28 p.m. and alighted from the vehicle with two other occupants, while the police officer driving the vehicle also left it unattended in a prohibited drop-off zone.
He explained that airport regulations require drivers to remain inside their vehicles while using the drop-off area, adding that leaving the vehicle unattended for about 30 minutes constituted a security risk.
“The airport rule is that, apart from the fact that it is a drop-off zone, a driver must remain behind the wheels of the vehicle for it to be tolerated for some time within that zone,” Keyamo said.
The minister stated that airport security officials clamped the vehicle after discovering it had been abandoned, stressing that officers were unaware the car belonged to Obi at the time.
According to him, the vehicle was later released after Obi spoke with the airport manager by telephone, without paying the prescribed penalty.
Keyamo accused the former governor of using his influence to secure the vehicle’s release and attempting to gain political sympathy by presenting a misleading account of the incident.
“What has emerged from this is a clear case of an opposition candidate trying to whip up unnecessary sentiments for a wrong he committed with his driver,” the minister said.
He dismissed Obi’s claim that other vehicles were parked in the same location, describing it as an excuse unbefitting of someone aspiring to lead the country.
The minister consequently asked Obi to publicly apologise to airport personnel for allegedly tarnishing their reputation and to voluntarily return to the airport to pay the ₦25,000 fine.
Keyamo warned that if Obi fails to comply within one week, he would direct FAAN to take further action in line with applicable regulations.
The controversy follows comments made by Obi during a recent interview, where he claimed his vehicle was clamped while other vehicles parked in the same area were left untouched, alleging that the incident reflected a pattern of political victimisation.
