The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demonstrated that his obsession with his perennial Presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.
Keyamo stated this in a post on his verified X handle while reacting to Atiku’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said: “Your Excellency, @atiku, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at anytime you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of 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.
“In fact (as the image below shows) you prepared, typed, signed and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former President was announced.
“With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial Presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.”
Keyamo told Atiku that using the country’s Coat of Arms in his private or political communications when he stopped being a functionary of the federal government more than 18 years ago was against Section 6 of the constitution.
The minister noted that what the former vice president did was nothing but impersonation.
He noted: “And since we are on the issue of your letter, 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.
“Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 makes this an offence.
“Morally, it is also reprehensible to use a symbol suggesting that you are acting on behalf of the authority which that symbol represents. It borders on impersonation.
“Imagine a situation where all former government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political or private communications. There would certainly be confusion everywhere.
“I have a bound duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution.”