The Minister of Aviation has called on Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to publicly apologise to airport officials and pay a N25,000 parking violation fine following an incident at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued after an internal review of the incident, the minister said he ordered an investigation following Obi’s public allegation that the tyres of his vehicle were unjustly clamped as part of what he described as a campaign of political persecution.
According to the minister, CCTV footage reviewed during the investigation showed that Obi arrived at the domestic terminal at about 8:28 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in a vehicle driven by a police officer. He said Obi and two other occupants proceeded into the terminal while the driver parked the vehicle in a designated drop-off zone and left it unattended.
The minister stated that airport regulations require drivers to remain with their vehicles in the drop-off area, adding that the police driver repeatedly left the vehicle, prompting airport security officials to clamp its tyres in line with established procedures.
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He maintained that airport personnel were unaware the vehicle belonged to Obi at the time enforcement action was taken.
According to the statement, the police driver subsequently contacted Obi by telephone while speaking with an airport manager.
The minister alleged that Obi identified himself and requested the vehicle’s release, after which the vehicle was released without payment of the prescribed N25,000 penalty.
The minister further stated that the vehicle remained unattended in the restricted zone for approximately 30 minutes, describing the situation as a security concern under international airport safety regulations.
He also dismissed Obi’s claim that other vehicles committed similar violations without facing sanctions, insisting that the allegation was unfounded.
Accusing the former Anambra State governor of politicising what he described as a routine administrative matter, the minister said Obi had unfairly portrayed airport officials as instruments of political persecution.
He consequently demanded that Obi issue an unreserved public apology to airport personnel and voluntarily return to pay the outstanding N25,000 parking violation fine.
The minister warned that if the demands are not met within one week, he would direct the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take further action in accordance with the law.
He added that CCTV footage of the incident was attached to the statement as evidence supporting the government’s account of events.
