‎BY AHMED AKANBI

‎Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has accused the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, of political persecution, saying he is being singled out because of his status as a leading opposition figure.

‎The row followed Keyamo’s directive that Obi should apologise to airport authorities and pay a N25,000 fine over an alleged wrongful parking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, or face further action from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.

‎But in a statement weekend by his media aide, Zekeri Idris, Obi said the incident cited by the minister was not the same one he spoke about in a recent interview.

‎”The incident you referred to is completely different from the one Mr. Peter Obi described in his interview. In the interview, he clearly said he was present. In the incident contained in your post, he was not there,” the statement said.

‎Obi’s camp alleged a pattern of unfair treatment, noting there had been multiple cases involving vehicles linked to him at the airport.

‎It also dismissed claims that Obi enjoys state security, sayingk he currently has no police or NSCDC personnel attached to him in Abuja despite being entitled to protection as a major opposition leader.

‎The team faulted Keyamo’s claim that the vehicle was parked for 30 minutes, insisting the stop lasted only about five minutes. It added that brief drop-offs are permitted at airports globally without sanctions.

‎Obi’s camp further questioned why other vehicles allegedly parked in the same area were not penalised, calling it selective enforcement.

‎It also condemned FAAN’s release of CCTV footage of Obi’s movement, saying making the video public exposed the details of a major opposition figure and raised serious security concerns.

‎The statement referenced past airport incidents involving former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, asking why similar sanctions were not applied.

‎”You threatened to direct FAAN to take action against Mr. Obi. Are you the accuser, investigator, judge and executioner in the same matter? As Minister of Aviation, are you now the law?” the statement asked.

‎According to Obi, the issue is no longer about parking but about equal treatment under the law and the safety of opposition figures.

‎”This is about the neutrality of public institutions in a democratic society,” he said.