Paul Ibe, the Special Adviser on Media to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over recent remarks criticizing Atiku’s use of Nigeria’s Coat of Arms in his resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Keyamo had accused Atiku of “impersonation” for using the Coat of Arms in a personal political communication, arguing that such symbols are reserved for official use.
Responding during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, Ibe described Keyamo’s comments as sycophantic and baseless.
“Where was Keyamo when Atiku Abubakar was in the frontline battling the military and, with other compatriots, was able to get them out? Where was he?” Ibe asked.
“He is just playing to the gallery. Sycophancy is the end game.”
Ibe dismissed the allegations of impersonation, maintaining that Atiku, as a former Vice President of Nigeria, is entitled to certain formalities and courtesies in his public communications.
“Nobody is impersonating anybody. Atiku Abubakar is a former Vice President. That is known,” he said.
“I don’t want to dignify him [Keyamo]. He can go to court if he wants to.”
The controversy comes days after Atiku formally announced his resignation from the PDP, citing the party’s current direction as a key reason for his decision.
While Keyamo’s comments have sparked mixed reactions online, Atiku’s team appears unbothered, focusing instead on the political implications of his resignation from the opposition party.
