Minister for Aviation and Aerospace development, Festus Keyamo has faulted the usage of coat of arms by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in his esignation letter from Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP). On Wednesday, Abubakar’s resignation letter from the PDP, dated July 14, surfaced online.
In a statement by the Minister on Wednesday , he criticised the former VP describing his “perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy”
“On the issue of your letter, it is both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in your private or political communications when you stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago. Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 makes this an offence.
Morally, it is also reprehensible to use a symbol suggesting that you are acting on behalf of the authority which that symbol represents. It borders on impersonation. Imagine a situation where all former Government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political or private communications. There would certainly be confusion everywhere.
I have a bounden duty both as a Cabinet member and a member of the Inner Bar to protect our laws and constitution.”he said
