Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said Nigerians will subject claims by former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi to closer scrutiny ahead of the general election.
Keyamo made this known on Thursday, in a post on his official X account while reacting to the ongoing dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial record of his administration.
The minister dismissed suggestions that the repeated public attention on Obi amounted to an “obsession”, arguing that political claims should be subjected to fact-checking.
“I see some suggestions that everyone is ‘obsessed’ about Peter Obi because we are always talking about him. I am sorry, but they miss the point,” Keyamo wrote.
He alleged that Obi escaped sufficient scrutiny during the 2023 presidential election but would face closer examination ahead of the 2027 poll.
“When someone lies per second, you also have to fact-check him per second. He got away with the lies in 2023, but this time Nigerians are ready to fact-check every claim of the ‘yes-daddy’ man,” he said.
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Keyamo Questions Double Standards in Scrutiny of Tinubu, Obi
Keyamo also questioned what he described as different standards in the scrutiny of Obi and President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking another term in office.
He argued that while Tinubu’s record as governor of Lagos State nearly three decades ago continues to be examined, similar scrutiny of Obi’s tenure in Anambra should not be considered unacceptable.
“Hypocrites everywhere! It is okay to continue to scrutinise the records of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State 27 years ago, but it is abomination to scrutinise Peter Obi’s record as Governor 19 years ago! Yet, they are both running for the same office,” Keyamo said.
The minister questioned why the Anambra State Government should not respond to claims made by Obi concerning his tenure as governor.
“How can someone question why the Anambra State Government is reeling out facts at this time?” he asked.
“A Presidential candidate makes bogus claims as to his tenure as Governor, yet you don’t want him to be fact-checked? What type of hypocrisy is this?”
Anambra Loan Controversy
Keyamo’s comments came amid an ongoing dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over loans and other financial obligations associated with his tenure as governor.
The Anambra government has said some external loans contracted during Obi’s administration remain outstanding and put the balance at about $92.35 million as of June 30, 2026. It has also challenged Obi’s claim that more than N2.13 billion was left in an account for an erosion-control project.
Obi has disputed the state government’s account, maintaining that he left office in 2014 without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or obligations to contractors and suppliers for duly executed projects.
The former governor has also challenged the state government to substantiate its claims concerning liabilities allegedly linked to his administration.
Keyamo, however, backed the Anambra government’s decision to put Obi’s record under scrutiny and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“Governor Soludo, take a bow; take your flowers,” the minister said.
Keyamo’s remarks have added a political dimension to the ongoing dispute over Obi’s record in office, coming less than five months before the 2027 presidential election.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.