Aviation minister demands public apology, fine from Peter Obi over airport parking incident
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has asked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to publicly apologise to airport officials and pay a ₦25,000 fine over an alleged parking violation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The minister issued the demand after an internal investigation into Obi’s claim that the tyres of his vehicle were unjustly clamped at the airport, an incident Obi had suggested was politically motivated.
Keyamo said the inquiry was initiated to establish the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that the matter was handled fairly and transparently, stressing that all Nigerians are equal before the law regardless of their political status.
Investigation reveals sequence of events
According to the minister, investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where the incident occurred on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
He said the footage showed that Obi arrived at about 8:28 p.m. in a vehicle driven by a police officer.
Keyamo explained that Obi and two other occupants immediately exited the vehicle and proceeded into the terminal building while the police driver remained behind.
The minister alleged that the driver later parked the vehicle in a restricted drop-off zone, an area reserved strictly for the quick dropping off or picking up of passengers.
He noted that the vehicle was positioned in a manner that almost obstructed access to the terminal entrance.
Airport regulations allegedly violated
According to Keyamo, airport regulations permit vehicles to stop briefly within designated drop-off zones only if the driver remains inside the vehicle and is ready to move immediately when required.
However, he said the police officer left the vehicle unattended and entered the terminal building, contrary to airport safety procedures.
The minister added that the driver returned briefly at about 8:32 p.m. to collect an item from the vehicle before leaving it unattended once again.
Following the second departure, airport security officials reportedly moved in and clamped the vehicle’s tyres in line with enforcement procedures.
Keyamo maintained that no one was inside the vehicle when the tyres were clamped and insisted that airport personnel had no idea the vehicle belonged to Peter Obi.
Vehicle allegedly released without payment
The minister further claimed that when the police driver returned and found the vehicle immobilised, he was directed to the airport management office.
According to Keyamo, the driver contacted Obi by telephone and handed the phone to the airport manager.
He alleged that Obi introduced himself during the conversation and requested that the vehicle be released.
The minister claimed the vehicle was subsequently released without the payment of the prescribed ₦25,000 fine for wrongful parking.
He added that the vehicle had remained unattended in the restricted area for approximately 30 minutes, describing the situation as a significant security concern.
According to him, unattended vehicles within airport premises are treated seriously under international aviation safety standards because they could pose potential security threats.
Keyamo rejects political persecution claim
Responding to Obi’s allegation that the incident was politically motivated, Keyamo dismissed the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
He argued that the airport officials merely carried out their routine responsibilities without knowing the identity of the vehicle’s owner.
The minister accused Obi of attempting to create a false public narrative by portraying a routine enforcement action as an act of political intimidation.
He also noted that the matter had already been resolved internally before Obi raised it publicly, insisting that airport authorities never publicised the incident.
Minister issues one-week ultimatum
Keyamo demanded that Obi tender an unreserved public apology to the airport workers involved, saying they were unfairly portrayed as agents of persecution while simply performing their lawful duties.
He also called on the former presidential candidate to voluntarily return to the airport and pay the outstanding ₦25,000 penalty for the parking violation.
The minister maintained that respect for the rule of law requires that public office holders and political leaders should not use influence to evade penalties applicable to ordinary citizens.
He warned that if Obi fails to apologise and settle the fine within one week, he will direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to commence appropriate legal and administrative action in accordance with airport regulations.
The incident has continued to generate public debate, with supporters of both men offering differing interpretations of the events, while attention now turns to whether Obi will respond to the minister’s demands within the stipulated timeframe.