By Nwafor Sunday Polycarp
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the economic hardship and insecurity in the country, accusing him of hypocrisy and saying only younger Nigerians unfamiliar with his record could be misled by his claims.
Keyamo, who made the remarks in a post on his X account on Wednesday, challenged Atiku’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing the liquidation of Nigeria Airways in September 2004 and the alleged failure to pay the pensions and gratuities of its former workers.
The minister argued that the Tinubu administration was addressing the outstanding entitlements of the airline’s former workers, claiming that the President had approved and released N36 billion to provide relief to affected families.
According to Keyamo, some of the beneficiaries had begun receiving payment notifications, while the workers’ union had also recognised Tinubu for the intervention.
He said it was hypocritical for Atiku to criticise the current administration over hardship without addressing issues arising from decisions taken when he served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“It’s only the younger ones who don’t know your history you can attempt to hoodwink, but we will expose you to them,” Keyamo wrote.
The minister also accused Atiku of taking credit for the achievements of the Obasanjo administration when convenient while distancing himself from its decisions at other times.
“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 said.
Keyamo’s comments followed Atiku’s appeal to Nigerians over the rising cost of living and insecurity, in which the former vice-president said families were struggling to afford food, healthcare, transportation and other basic necessities.
In his message, Atiku expressed concern about the difficulties confronting pensioners, young workers and parents, as well as the fear experienced by families amid reports of kidnappings and attacks across the country.
He said no Nigerian family should have to contend with hunger and insecurity simultaneously, warning against allowing the prevailing conditions to become the future inherited by the next generation.
Atiku also urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as instruments through which Nigerians could peacefully demand change.
“Bola made life expensive. I will work to make life affordable again and restore the security every Nigerian deserves,” he said, calling on citizens across generations to support his vision of a country where families could live with dignity, safety and hope.
The exchange comes amid growing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political leaders increasingly using public statements and social media to criticise their opponents and promote their policy positions.
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