The Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi has reacted to claims made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the recent airport controversy, accusing the minister of presenting a misleading account of the incident and targeting him for political reasons.

Recall that the Keyamo had issued the NDC presidential candidate an ultimatum stating that he should publicly apologise to airport officials and pay a N25,000 fine over a wrongful parking incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport or face consequences.

But in reaction, Peter Obi in a statement by his media office issued on Saturday by Zekeri Idris accused Keyamo of presenting a misleading account of the airport incident involving Peter Obi, alleging a pattern of political targeting.

According to the statement, the incident referenced by Keyamo was entirely different from the one Obi had narrated during a recent interview.

“The incident you posted is entirely different from the one Mr Peter Obi narrated in his interview. In that interview, he clearly stated: ‘I was there…’ In the incident contained in your tweet, he was not present,” he said.

The statement argued that the existence of multiple incidents involving vehicles linked to Obi raised concerns about selective treatment.

“If we now have at least two separate incidents in which vehicles associated with Mr. Obi were clamped under questionable circumstances, does this not suggest a pattern of targeting an individual simply because of who he is?” he asked.

The spokesperson also rejected claims that Obi had a police officer serving as his driver or enjoyed the level of security protection expected of a leading opposition figure.

“Mr. Peter Obi does not have any police or civil defence personnel attached to him in Abuja, despite being entitled to VVIP protection by virtue of his status as a leading opposition figure in Nigeria. He certainly does not have a police officer serving as his driver,” he said.

According to Zekeri, Obi frequently travels across the country and has repeatedly experienced what he described as discourteous treatment from some government personnel.

He also disputed the minister’s account of the duration of the airport incident.

“The entire sequence of events you referenced, from arrival to the eventual clamping of the vehicle, lasted approximately five minutes. At most airports around the world, including major international airports, a ten-minute drop-off window is generally considered acceptable. Where, then, did the claim of 30 minutes originate?” he queried.

The statement further questioned why other vehicles allegedly parked in the same area were not sanctioned.

“Is it not a fact that several other vehicles were in the vicinity of Mr. Obi’s vehicle without attracting similar attention from airport officials? Indeed, some of those vehicles had been parked there long before Mr. Obi’s vehicle arrived, yet none was clamped.

“Can the publication of CCTV footage detailing Mr. Peter Obi’s movements on your personal social media platform be considered a serious breach of his personal security? Your footage established no wrongdoing. Instead, you further exposed the movements of a leading opposition figure whose security concerns are already significant,” the statement added.

Referencing previous airport incidents involving former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Zekeri questioned why similar official action was not taken.

He also criticised Keyamo’s warning that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria could take action against Obi.

“You further threatened to direct FAAN to take unspecified action against Mr. Obi. Are you the accuser, the investigator, the judge, and the executioner in the same matter? As Minister of Aviation, are you now positioning yourself as the law itself? Mr Keyamo, are you the Law?

“This issue goes far beyond a clamped vehicle. It concerns equal treatment under the law, the security of opposition figures, the neutrality of state institutions, and the standards expected in a constitutional democracy. Nigerians deserve answers to these questions.”he concluded.

Former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has warned that the All Progressives Congress, APC, could weaken its internal cohesion if it continues to sideline some of its founding members in favour of newer entrants.

Obono-Obla, reacting to comments made by APC chieftain Cletus Obun during an interview on Arise Television, said many party loyalists who helped build the APC from its formative years have been left out of key political appointments and decision-making processes.

He recalled that the APC emerged in 2013 through the merger of opposition political parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), ahead of the 2015 general elections.

According to him, several individuals who played active roles in building the party at the grassroots have gradually become less visible in its affairs, particularly in Cross River State.

He cited himself, former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the APC, Hilliard Eta, and former Minister of State for Education, John Odey, among those he described as early party loyalists whose contributions should not be overlooked.

Obono-Obla argued that while political parties naturally attract new members, sustained recognition of long-serving members is essential for unity, institutional memory and grassroots mobilisation.

He warned that neglecting founding members could encourage internal discontent and deepen divisions within the ruling party.

The former presidential aide urged the APC leadership to adopt an inclusive approach that accommodates both pioneer members and newer entrants in order to strengthen party unity ahead of future political contests.

Former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja, who was an ally of the current state governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

An APC chieftain, Ayekooto Akindele, made this disclosure on Sunday in a post on his Facebook page.

Arapaja, a former National Secretary of the Seyi Makinde-backed and Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recently dumped the party.

But speculation of his alliance with APC came after he reportedly met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja and also met some chieftains of the APC from Oyo State at his residence in Abuja.

DAILY POST reports that Arapaja is a former Council Chairman and PDP Deputy National Chairman, South.

He represented Ibadan North East/ Ibadan south east federal constituency on the platform of the PDP between 2003 and 2007 and later served as Deputy Governor when late Adebayo Alao-Akala was the Governor between 2007 and 2011.

Watch video