The Federal Government has condemned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for featuring Nigeria’s national Coat of Arms in his resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday via his social media handle on X, shortly after Atiku’s resignation letter became public, termed the move both a legal violation and a moral misstep
Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, has resigned from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences and a deviation from the party’s founding principles.
In his letter dated July 14, Atiku wrote, “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party. Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a Presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.”
However, Keyamo took issue not only with the timing of the letter, which he described as “insensitive” due to the national mourning over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, but also with the presence of the Nigerian Coat of Arms on the letterhead.
“Your Excellency, @atiku, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself,” Keyamo wrote.
“In fact (as the image below shows) you prepared, typed, signed and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former President was announced. With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial Presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.”
“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.”
He cited Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which prohibits unauthorized use of the Coat of Arms, warning that the infraction could amount to impersonation.
“Morally, it is also reprehensible to use a symbol suggesting that you are acting on behalf of the authority which that symbol represents. It borders on impersonation. Imagine a situation where all former government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political or private communications. There would certainly be confusion everywhere.”
“I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution. Please, be well guided,” the Delta politician added.
