The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed allegations by National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi that he was harassed by airport officials, insisting that the incident resulted from a violation of parking regulations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Obi had recently accused the Federal Government of targeting him and using airport officials to intimidate and harass him.
However, in a statement issued on Friday night, Keyamo said he personally reviewed the airport’s 24-hour Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage to ascertain what transpired.
According to the minister, the footage showed that Obi arrived at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at exactly 8:28 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in a vehicle driven by a police officer.
Keyamo said Obi and two other occupants alighted and proceeded into the terminal, while the police driver parked the vehicle in the designated drop-off zone, allegedly obstructing part of the entrance before leaving it unattended to enter the terminal.
He noted that airport regulations require drivers to remain in their vehicles while using the drop-off area, adding that unattended vehicles constitute a security risk and are subject to enforcement measures.
The minister further stated that the police driver briefly returned to the vehicle at about 8:32 p.m. to retrieve an item before leaving it unattended again.
According to him, airport security personnel subsequently clamped the vehicle’s tyres, stressing that officials were unaware the vehicle belonged to Obi at the time.
Keyamo alleged that the driver later informed Obi of the situation, prompting the former Anambra State governor to identify himself to the airport manager and request the release of the vehicle.
He said the vehicle was eventually released without payment of the prescribed ₦25,000 parking violation fine.
The minister maintained that the matter had been resolved before Obi publicly alleged harassment.
He accused Obi of presenting a false narrative for political gain and demanded that he apologise to airport personnel and pay the outstanding ₦25,000 fine.
Keyamo warned that if Obi fails to pay the fine within one week, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would take appropriate enforcement action.
