The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party and using Nigeria’s Coat of Arms in his resignation letter.
Keyamo, in a statement via his X handle on Wednesday, described the timing of Atiku’s resignation as “insensitive,” arriving during the national mourning for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday.
“Whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of mourning is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself,” the statement read.
Atiku formally resigned from the PDP via a letter dated July 14, 2025, submitted to his local ward chairman in Adamawa State and shared publicly by his media aide on X
In the letter, he cited “irreconcilable differences” and noted his disappointment with the party’s current trajectory, which he believes has strayed from its founding principles
Keyamo alleged that Atiku prepared, signed, and dispatched the letter the day after Buhari’s death was announced, accusing him of “demonstrating an obsession with your perennial presidential ambition, without sympathy or empathy.”
In addition, Keyamo accused Atiku of illegally using the Federal Government’s Coat of Arms in his private and political communications.
“It is both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in your private or political communications when you stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago,” he said.
The minister also cited Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, makes the action an offence, saying that it borders on impersonation.
Keyamo warned that such continued misuse of national symbols by former officials “would certainly be confusion everywhere.”
“I have a bounden duty both as a cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution,” he added.
