{"id":120729,"date":"2025-07-17T04:40:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=120729"},"modified":"2025-07-17T04:40:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:40:37","slug":"atikus-resignation-letter-disrespects-national-mourning-festus-keyamo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/atikus-resignation-letter-disrespects-national-mourning-festus-keyamo\/","title":{"rendered":"Atiku\u2019s Resignation Letter Disrespects National Mourning \u2014 Festus Keyamo"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n
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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the timing and presentation of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), calling it “insensitive” and “legally questionable.”<\/div>\n
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In a statement shared on his X handle (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, Keyamo expressed dismay that Atiku chose to release his letter of resignation during the national mourning period for Nigeria\u2019s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away earlier in the week.<\/div>\n
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“Whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish,” Keyamo stated, “releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of mourning\u2026 is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself.”<\/div>\n
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He further revealed that Atiku’s resignation letter, which has been circulating widely on social media, was dated and dispatched just a day after the death of President Buhari was announced \u2014 a move the minister described as lacking empathy and indicative of “an obsession with a perennial Presidential ambition.”<\/div>\n
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But beyond the timing, Keyamo raised legal and ethical concerns about Atiku\u2019s use of the national Coat of Arms on the letterhead of his resignation letter. According to him, such use is not only improper but criminal.<\/div>\n
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“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, citing Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.<\/div>\n
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He warned that use of the emblem by a private citizen in political correspondence creates a false impression of governmental authority and \u201cborders on impersonation.\u201d<\/div>\n
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“Imagine a situation where all former government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political or private communications,” Keyamo cautioned. “There would certainly be confusion everywhere.”<\/div>\n
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Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and member of President Tinubu\u2019s cabinet, emphasized his duty “as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution,” adding that public figures must act responsibly, especially during moments of national grief.<\/div>\n
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Atiku Abubakar, a two-term Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo and five-time presidential contender, recently announced his resignation from the PDP, a party he has been closely associated with for decades. In a letter dated 14 July just after President Buhari\u2019s death, Atiku cited irreconcilable differences within the party and a need for Nigeria to chart a new political path.<\/div>\n
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The timing of his announcement, however, has stirred controversy, especially as the nation is still mourning the loss of former President Buhari, who was buried earlier this week in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in a ceremony attended by national and international dignitaries.<\/div>\n
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Keyamo\u2019s rebuke adds to the growing public discourse around Atiku\u2019s political future and his perceived intentions ahead of the 2027 general elections.<\/div>\n
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