‘He Got Away With It in 2023’ — Keyamo Says Nigerians Will Scrutinise Obi’s Claims This Time

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said Nigerians will subject claims by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to closer scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Keyamo made the remarks in a post on X on Thursday amid the ongoing dispute between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial records of the former governor’s administration.

The minister rejected suggestions that the frequent public discussion of Obi amounted to an obsession with the former Anambra governor, arguing that the scrutiny was necessary to examine the accuracy of his claims.

“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 made false claims during the 2023 election campaign but was not subjected to sufficient fact-checking at the time.

“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,” the minister added.

The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of a continuing disagreement between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial position of the state when he left office as governor.

The state government has alleged that some loans obtained during Obi’s tenure remain outstanding and are still being serviced. It has also challenged his claim that N2.13 billion was left in a First Bank account for the Oko and Umuchiana erosion project.

Obi, however, has maintained that he left office without outstanding debts, unpaid salaries, pensions or gratuities, as well as obligations to contractors for duly executed projects.

The competing claims have generated renewed public debate over the former governor’s financial record as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.

Keyamo said the level of public attention on Obi was a direct response to the claims attributed to him.

“Therefore, to put it simply, the amount of time we talk about Peter Obi is directly proportional to the amount of lies he tells,” he said.