The aviation minister points to the liquidation of the former national carrier and outstanding workers’ entitlements as he challenges the former vice-president’s criticism of Tinubu’s administration.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of hypocrisy over his criticism of Nigeria’s economic conditions, citing the liquidation of Nigeria Airways and the outstanding entitlements of former workers.
Keyamo made the remarks in a post on his X account on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, responding to Atiku’s comments on economic hardship and insecurity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku had highlighted the difficulties facing Nigerian households, including the rising cost of living, pressure on pensioners and young workers, and security concerns affecting families.
He also urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In response, Keyamo challenged Atiku to address the record of the administration in which he served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The minister cited the liquidation of Nigeria Airways in September 2004 and the alleged failure to settle the pensions, gratuities and other entitlements of former employees.
Keyamo argued that Atiku could not criticise the current administration’s handling of economic challenges without addressing the record of the government in which he held office.
He also claimed that Tinubu had approved and released ₦36 billion to provide relief to former Nigeria Airways workers, adding that some beneficiaries had begun receiving payment notifications.
The minister presented the reported intervention as evidence that the current administration was addressing a longstanding issue affecting former employees and their families.
Political accountability and competing records
The exchange reflects the increasingly confrontational political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, with leading figures using their records in office to challenge one another’s credibility.
Keyamo’s remarks constitute a political criticism of Atiku, while the former vice-president’s concerns focus on the current administration’s handling of living costs and insecurity.
The dispute over Nigeria Airways also raises questions about the resolution of outstanding obligations to former public-sector employees and the extent to which successive administrations have addressed longstanding liabilities.
The minister’s claims about the release of funds and payments to beneficiaries require assessment against official records and independent confirmation.
As the political debate intensifies, the key issues for voters will include the credibility of competing claims, the results of government policies and the practical proposals candidates offer for addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.