‘Tinubu Is Clearing Your Mess’ – Keyamo Blasts Atiku Over Nigeria Airways

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as a “hypocrite” and a “con artist” over his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing him of distancing himself from controversial decisions taken while he was in government.

Keyamo’s remarks followed Atiku’s criticism of Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions and insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections. The former vice-president had urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), promising to make life more affordable and restore security if given the opportunity to lead the country.

In his post, Atiku said rising living costs had made it increasingly difficult for families to provide basic necessities, while pensioners faced difficult choices between buying food and obtaining medication. He also expressed concern about kidnapping and attacks that have left communities living in fear.

Reacting in a post on his official X account on Wednesday, October 14, Keyamo challenged Atiku’s criticism, citing the liquidation of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways, in September 2004, when Atiku was vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, this is hypocrisy at its peak! Let me just talk only about the sector that I head, Aviation,” Keyamo wrote.

The minister alleged that the liquidation left thousands of airline workers without jobs and that their pensions and gratuities, amounting to billions of naira, remained unpaid for years.

He argued that Atiku could not criticise the current administration over economic hardship without addressing the record of the government in which he served.

Keyamo further claimed that some former Nigeria Airways workers died while waiting for their outstanding entitlements, leaving their families to bear the consequences of the prolonged delay in payment.

According to the minister, President Tinubu had approved and released ₦36 billion to settle the outstanding entitlements owed to the former airline workers.

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Keyamo said payments had begun reaching beneficiaries and claimed that the workers’ union had recognised Tinubu’s intervention.

He presented the payment as evidence that the current administration was addressing an outstanding obligation inherited from previous governments, although the claim about the release and disbursement of the funds was made by the minister.

The aviation minister also accused Atiku of selectively taking credit for the achievements of the Obasanjo administration while distancing himself from decisions that attracted criticism.

“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,” he wrote.

Keyamo said younger Nigerians who were unfamiliar with the former vice-president’s political record could be misled by his criticism of the Tinubu administration.

He added that Atiku’s political ambitions should not, in his view, be disguised by what he described as misleading rhetoric.

“The proper posturing of a con artist!” the minister concluded.

The exchange adds to the growing political confrontation between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has repeatedly criticised the Federal Government over the cost of living, insecurity and the impact of its economic policies on households and businesses.

Tinubu’s administration, meanwhile, has defended its economic reforms and highlighted measures it says are intended to address longstanding fiscal challenges and support affected groups.

Keyamo’s latest comments shift the argument from the current administration’s performance to the record of the previous government, particularly its handling of Nigeria Airways and the entitlements owed to the airline’s former employees.

Atiku’s response to Keyamo’s latest allegations was not included in the reports available at the time of publication.