Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has launched a sharp attack against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of glaring hypocrisy over his recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration regarding economic hardship and insecurity in the nation.
​In a statement posted via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday afternoon, October 14, 2026, Keyamo claimed that Atiku’s political record directly contradicts his present posturing, asserting that only younger Nigerians unfamiliar with history could be misled by his public commentary.
​Keyamo’s fiery response followed comments made by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the upcoming 2027 general elections, who publicly lamented the escalating cost of living and security challenges facing Nigerian households.
​Challenging Atiku’s moral authority to pontificate on economic hardship, Keyamo highlighted the September 2004 liquidation of Nigeria Airways during the Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar administration. He recalled how the sudden closure threw thousands of aviation workers into severe financial distress without paying their accumulated severance entitlements, pensions, and gratuities.
​”In September 2004, when you were Vice-President, your government woke up one morning and liquidated Nigeria Airways, throwing thousands of Nigerians out of jobs and into sorrow and pain,” Keyamo wrote. “It is only the younger ones who don’t know your history you can attempt to hoodwink, but we will expose you to them.”
​The Aviation Minister countered Atiku’s criticism by pointing out that the current administration is actively rectifying historical oversights left unresolved by previous governments. Keyamo revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved and released ₦36 billion to settle the long-overdue benefits and pension arrears owed to former Nigeria Airways staff and their surviving families.
​He noted that beneficiaries have already started receiving direct financial alerts, with various aviation unions formally commending the President for resolving two decades of lingering hardship.
​Keyamo further criticized the former Vice President for selectively claiming credit for the Obasanjo administration’s economic successes while dodging accountability for its contentious policies.
​”When it is convenient for you, you claim some credit of the Obasanjo-Atiku government, and when not convenient, you say Obasanjo was in charge and not you as Vice-President,” Keyamo stated, labeling Atiku’s political stance as opportunistic.
​As political discourse intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, spokespersons from Atiku Abubakar’s campaign organisation have yet to issue an official response to the Aviation Minister’s remarks.
