Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has taken a firm stance against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of unlawfully using the national Coat of Arms in official-looking correspondences—18 years after leaving public office.
In a strongly worded statement, Keyamo described the act as a clear violation of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, warning that such usage without authorization amounts to impersonation and may lead to legal consequences.
“This is not just illegal; it is misleading and disrespectful to the laws of the land,” Keyamo said. “You cannot continue to present yourself as a government functionary by displaying symbols reserved for serving officials.”
The minister also took a swipe at Atiku’s recent resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was announced shortly after the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He described the timing as insensitive and politically self-serving.
“Resigning during a period of national mourning shows a disturbing lack of empathy,” Keyamo added. “It sends the wrong message to Nigerians.”
As a senior legal practitioner and cabinet member, Keyamo emphasized his responsibility to defend constitutional order and preserve the integrity of national symbols.
He ended his statement with a stern note: “Please, be well guided.”
