Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under heavy criticism for using Nigeria’s official Coat of Arms in his resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 18 years after leaving public office.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who led the backlash, described the move as both “morally wrong” and “legally offensive,” citing the Flag and Coat of Arms Act.
Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the PDP chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, was posted online by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Wednesday.
The development coincided with the national mourning period declared for late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in the UK and was buried on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.
In a statement on his verified X handle, Keyamo accused Atiku of attempting to divert national attention from the solemn occasion of Buhari’s passing to his own political ambition.
“Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, while it is within your constitutional right to resign from any political party, doing so — and making it public — during a week of national mourning for our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is grossly insensitive,” Keyamo stated.
He further alleged that the letter was prepared, signed, and released just a day after Buhari’s death, describing the timing as an indication of Atiku’s “obsession” with his repeated presidential ambitions.
But Keyamo’s fiercest criticism was directed at Atiku’s use of the Nigerian Coat of Arms on the letterhead — a privilege reserved only for serving public officials.
“Using the Coat of Arms in your political or private correspondence 18 years after leaving office as Vice President is illegal,” he said.
Quoting Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the minister warned that unauthorized use of the national symbol constitutes an offence punishable under Nigerian law.
“It borders on impersonation. Imagine a situation where all former government officials continue to use the Coat of Arms for personal or political purposes — there would be utter confusion,” he added.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and member of the Federal Executive Council, said he is legally and ethically compelled to speak out in defence of the law.
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