The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has demanded a public apology from former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, over the recent clamping of his vehicle at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Keyamo, who ordered an internal investigation into Obi’s claim that his vehicle was “unjustly” clamped at the airport, said findings from CCTV footage showed that the action taken by airport security personnel was consistent with established airport regulations.

According to a statement released by the minister on Friday night, the investigation revealed that Obi’s vehicle was parked unattended at the domestic terminal’s drop-off zone, creating a security concern.

The minister explained that airport regulations require drivers to remain with vehicles temporarily parked within the area and said the vehicle was clamped after the driver left it unattended.

Keyamo added that the vehicle was subsequently released after Obi spoke with an airport manager and requested its release, noting that the prescribed penalty was not paid.

He accused the opposition politician of portraying a routine enforcement action as political persecution, insisting that airport workers involved were merely carrying out their official duties.

The minister further stated that Obi’s status as a former governor and presidential candidate does not exempt him from complying with airport regulations, stressing the principle of equality before the law.

Consequently, Keyamo issued two demands to the former governor. He called on Obi to offer an unreserved public apology to the airport workers whom he said had been unfairly portrayed as persecutors.

He also demanded that Obi return to the airport and pay the N25,000 fine for wrongful parking.

The minister warned that failure to meet the demands within one week would compel him to direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to take further action.