Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the national mourning period for late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Keyamo accused Atiku of insensitivity, saying the timing of his resignation was an attempt to draw attention away from the solemn occasion and onto himself.
In a statement posted on X, Keyamo acknowledged Atiku’s constitutional right to change parties but condemned the timing of his resignation, which came just a day after Buhari’s passing was announced.
“Releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of mourning for our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself,” Keyamo said.
Keyamo also faulted Atiku for using Nigeria’s Coat of Arms in his resignation letter, describing it as “both morally and legally wrong”.
According to Keyamo, Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act makes it an offense for individuals who are no longer government functionaries to use the Coat of Arms in private or political communications.
He emphasized that this practice borders on impersonation and could lead to confusion if all former government officials continued to use the symbol in their communications.
Atiku, however, has maintained that his resignation was due to internal crises within the PDP, despite Keyamo’s criticism over the timing.
