The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of double standards over his criticism of Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, citing the liquidation of Nigeria Airways and the outstanding entitlements of its former employees.
Keyamo made the allegation in a post on his official X account on Wednesday, arguing that the administration in which Atiku served as vice president oversaw the liquidation of the national carrier in September 2004, leaving thousands of workers without jobs, pensions and gratuities.
“Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, this is hypocrisy at its peak! Let me just talk only about the sector that I head, Aviation,” the minister wrote.
He alleged that many former Nigeria Airways employees were left waiting for years for their outstanding benefits, which he said amounted to billions of naira.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu had approved and released N36bn to settle the outstanding payments, adding that some beneficiaries had begun receiving payment notifications.
“Twenty two years later, after many of them have died out of frustration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now clearing the mess you left behind,” Keyamo stated.
He added that the funds were approved more than a month ago to provide relief to affected workers and their families.
“Over a month ago, Mr President approved and released the total sum of N36bn to bring succour to these families. They have started receiving alerts and praying for Mr President. In fact, the President was given an award for this by the workers’ union a few weeks ago,” he said.
Keyamo further accused Atiku of presenting a misleading account of his political record to younger Nigerians who might not be familiar with the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the former national airline.
He also alleged that the former vice president took credit for decisions made during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo when politically advantageous but distanced himself from responsibility when criticised.
“When it is convenient for you, you claim some credit for the Obasanjo-Atiku government, and when not convenient, you say Obasanjo was in charge and not you as Vice President,” the minister said.
The exchange followed Atiku’s criticism of the rising cost of living and insecurity in Nigeria. In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, the former vice president pledged to make life more affordable and improve security if elected president.
He also urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the next general election.
