Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has come hard on former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, warning him to stop further use of Nigeria’s Coat of Arms.
Keyamo issued the caution in a statement he issued on Wednesday, accusing Atiku of using the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in his private or political communications 18 years after he left office.
According to Keyamo, it amounted to impersonation.
The Minister also described as condemnable Atiku's resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at a period the nation was mourning the demise of former president Muhammadu Buhari.
He said while it was within Atiku’s constitutional right to change political parties at anytime he may wish, releasing such letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari was clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it to himself.
“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 said it was both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in his private or political communications when he 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. Please, be well guided,” Keyamo warned.
NATIONAL POST recalls that Atiku earlier today, released his letter of resignation from the PDP.
He said it was not a decision that came easy but it had become unavoidable.