By John Ogunsemore
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN has faulted the timing of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s announcement of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku announced his resignation from the PDP on Wednesday, July 16.
The 2023 PDP presidential candidate’s resignation letter dated Monday, July 14, was addressed to the Chairman of the PDP, Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State.
Reacting, Keyamo questioned Atiku’s rationale for making such a political move at a time the nation is still mourning the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday in London and was buried in his hometown, Daura in Katsina State on Tuesday.
The Federal Government declared a three-day mourning period and public holiday on Tuesday to honour the late ex-president.
Keyamo said Atiku’s announcement indicates that his “obsession” with his “perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy”.
The senior lawyer 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.”
The senior lawyer also slammed Atiku for his continued use of the nation’s Coat of Arms in his private communications despite being out of office.
He said, “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 bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution.”
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