Aviation Minister demands apology, ₦25,000 fine from Peter Obi over Airport parking incident

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has demanded a public apology from Mr. Peter Obi and the payment of a ₦25,000 fine over an alleged wrongful parking incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Minister said the demand followed an internal inquiry into Obi’s claim that the tyres of his vehicle were unjustly clamped at the airport, allegedly suggesting that the incident was politically motivated.

In a statement, Keyamo said he considered it necessary to investigate the matter in order to authenticate the claim and ensure fairness, adding that every Nigerian is entitled to equal treatment under the law.

According to him, a review of CCTV footage from the airport showed that Obi arrived at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at about 8:28 p.m. in a vehicle driven by a police officer.

He said Obi and two other occupants alighted from the vehicle and proceeded into the terminal building, while the police driver later parked the vehicle in a restricted drop-off zone, allegedly almost blocking the entrance.

The Minister explained that airport rules permit vehicles to remain briefly within drop-off zones only when the driver stays behind the wheel.

He said the driver, however, left the vehicle unattended and entered the terminal building.

According to the statement, the driver returned briefly at about 8:32 p.m., collected an item from the vehicle and went back into the terminal, leaving the vehicle unattended again.

The Minister said airport security personnel subsequently clamped the tyres of the vehicle, adding that contrary to Obi’s claim, nobody was inside the car at the time.

He further stated that the airport officials did not know the vehicle belonged to Obi when the enforcement action was taken.

The statement alleged that when the police driver returned and discovered that the vehicle had been clamped, he was directed to an office, where he called Obi and handed the phone to the manager.

Keyamo claimed that Obi introduced himself and requested the release of the vehicle, after which it was released without payment of the required fine.

He said the vehicle was allegedly parked unattended in the prohibited zone for about 30 minutes, describing the situation as a security risk under airport safety standards.

Keyamo accused Obi of presenting a false narrative to the public and attempting to portray a routine airport enforcement action as political persecution.

He argued that the incident had not been publicised by the airport authorities and had already been resolved before Obi allegedly raised it in the media.

Keyamo therefore demanded that Obi tender an unreserved public apology to the airport workers involved in the incident.

He also asked Obi to return to the airport and pay the ₦25,000 fine for wrongful parking.

According to him, the principle of equality before the law requires that public figures should not use their influence to avoid penalties applicable to other citizens.

He warned that if the demands were not met within one week, he would direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to take appropriate steps against Obi.