BREAKING: FG Issues Strong Warning To Atiku Over Use of ‘Coat of Arms’ on Resignation Letter

The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his use of Nigeria’s Coat of Arms in his recent resignation letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as both “a legal violation and a moral misstep.”

The warning was delivered by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, via a statement on Wednesday on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. Keyamo’s reaction followed the public release of Atiku’s resignation letter, in which the national Coat of Arms appeared prominently on the letterhead.

Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, announced his resignation from the PDP on July 14, citing a departure from the party’s founding values.

In the letter, Atiku wrote:

“I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party. Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a Presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.”

Keyamo, however, raised objections to both the timing and content of the letter. He criticized Atiku’s decision to release the letter during a period of national mourning over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was an attempt to “draw the spotlight” to himself.

“Your Excellency, @atiku, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself,” Keyamo stated.

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“In fact (as the image below shows) you prepared, typed, signed and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former President was announced. With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial Presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.”

Most significantly, Keyamo condemned the use of the Coat of Arms, warning that such an act could amount to impersonation under Nigerian law.

“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.”

He cited Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which prohibits unauthorized use of the symbol.

“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. Please, be well guided,” Keyamo concluded.