The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of violating airport parking regulations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, rejecting claims that the former Anambra State governor was unfairly targeted by federal authorities.

Keyamo made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday after ordering an internal investigation into Obi’s claim that officials unjustly clamped the tyres of his vehicle as part of what he described as political persecution by the Federal Government.

According to the minister, findings from the inquiry, supported by Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, showed that Obi’s vehicle was improperly parked in a restricted drop-off zone on July 4, 2026, and was left unattended for about 30 minutes before airport security officers immobilised it.

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The minister explained that Obi had already entered the airport terminal with two other occupants while the police officer driving the vehicle also left it unattended after briefly returning to collect an item from the car.

He stated that airport officials clamped the vehicle only after observing that it had been abandoned in a prohibited area, stressing that officers had no knowledge the vehicle belonged to Obi.

According to Keyamo, the police officer later contacted Obi by telephone after being directed to the airport management office. He alleged that Obi identified himself during the call and requested the immediate release of the vehicle, which was eventually granted without payment of the prescribed penalty.

The minister maintained that leaving an unattended vehicle in a designated drop-off area constituted a serious security concern and violated international airport safety standards.

He dismissed Obi’s allegation of political victimisation, describing it as an attempt to generate public sympathy over an incident that resulted from a breach of airport regulations.

Keyamo subsequently demanded that Obi publicly apologise to airport personnel, whom he said were unfairly portrayed as agents of political persecution while carrying out their official duties.

He also directed the former presidential candidate to return to the airport within one week to pay the ₦25,000 fine for the parking violation.

The minister warned that if Obi failed to comply with both demands, he would instruct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to initiate further action in accordance with airport regulations.

The controversy follows Obi’s earlier claim that the incident reflected increasing attempts to frustrate his political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.

As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi had not issued a fresh response to Keyamo’s latest allegations or the demands made by the aviation minister.