The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has issued a stern legal warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his continued use of the Federal Government’s official coat of arms in personal correspondence, nearly two decades after leaving office.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) declared the practice as unlawful, citing specific provisions of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act while also condemning Atiku’s timing in resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during national mourning for ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in your private or political communications when you stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago,” Keyamo said in a statement directed at the former Vice President.
The minister referenced Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which expressly prohibits unauthorised use of national symbols. “This makes it an offence,” Keyamo emphasised, adding that such usage “borders on impersonation” and could create confusion if all former officials similarly misappropriated state insignia.
Keyamo’s call came hours after Atiku’s controversial resignation from the PDP on 16 July 2025– a move the minister described as tactically insensitive as it coincided with the week of national mourning following Buhari’s passing.
“Releasing your letter of resignation during this solemn period demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy,” Keyamo remarked, revealing that the resignation letter had been prepared and delivered the morning after Buhari’s death was announced.
As both a cabinet member and senior legal practitioner, Keyamo stressed his constitutional duty to call out such violations.
“I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution,” he stated, concluding with a terse advisory: “Please, be well guided.”
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