“You Left Office 18 Years Ago” — Keyamo Slams Atiku Over Use of Coat of Arms in PDP Resignation Letter

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over the use of the Nigerian coat of arms on his resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as both illegal and inappropriate. The letter, dated July 14, surfaced online on Wednesday and was posted by Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe.

Keyamo questioned the timing of the letter’s release, pointing out that it coincided with the national mourning declared for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a London clinic and was buried in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday. President Bola Tinubu had declared seven days of national mourning in Buhari’s honour.

In a statement posted on social media, Keyamo said Atiku’s actions reflect a lack of empathy. “Your obsession with your perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy,” he wrote. He accused the former vice-president of trying to divert attention from the national mourning period by making his political move public.

Keyamo also argued that Atiku’s use of the coat of arms on an official-looking letterhead was unlawful, noting that the former vice-president left office 18 years ago. “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,” he said.

Citing Section 6 of the Flags and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the minister said it is an offence to use the national symbol for private or political purposes without lawful authority.

Keyamo added that such usage borders on impersonation and warned that if other former public officials followed suit, it would lead to widespread confusion. As a lawyer and member of the Federal Executive Council, he said he is duty-bound to uphold the law and protect national institutions from misuse.