Paul Ibe, spokesman for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, describing his recent criticisms as sycophantic and irrelevant. Speaking Thursday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Ibe accused Keyamo of “playing to the gallery” and failing to respect Atiku’s political legacy.

“Where was Keyamo when Atiku Abubakar was at the forefront of the battle to end military rule in Nigeria?” Ibe asked, dismissing allegations of impersonation over Atiku’s use of the Coat of Arms in correspondence. “Nobody is impersonating anybody… He can go to court if he wants to.”

The clash follows reports that Atiku has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move Keyamo criticized. Ibe defended the decision, saying Atiku is healthy, capable, and still very much in the political arena. “Too old? Says who? Trump is 79,” Ibe stated, comparing Atiku to U.S. political figures.

Ibe also accused the Tinubu administration of undermining democracy by coercing opposition figures into the ruling party. He urged Keyamo to focus on fixing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure rather than commenting on partisan politics. “This gives an indication of how he runs the Ministry of Aviation,” he said.

On Atiku’s long-standing presidential ambition, Ibe insisted it remains valid. “He has a genuine ambition to improve the lot of Nigerians,” he said, adding that the former vice president’s experience and skills equip him to lead the country effectively if given the opportunity.