Keyamo Calls Peter Obi’s Bank Interest Remark “Dumbness Beyond Measure”

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has launched a scathing attack on Peter Obi, describing the former Anambra governor’s recent comments on public funds as “dumbness beyond measure.”

The controversy began when Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, said in a radio interview in Nasarawa State on Wednesday that Nigeria would be far wealthier if leaders had kept public money in banks to earn interest rather than mismanaging it.

“I wish everybody in this country left money in the bank; they have interest. Nigeria would have been so rich that we don’t know what to do with money,” Obi said during the interview.

Obi also defended his approach to public communication while in office, arguing that projects funded by taxpayers should be judged by results rather than ceremonies or television coverage.

“We did what we were doing with public money, so the public already see us working, so why are we going to do the ceremony or showing it on TV? Maybe I was wrong, but that was what happened,” he said.

Keyamo responded in a post on his X account on Wednesday, dismissing Obi’s argument as unintelligent and linking it to what he claimed was a decline in the former governor’s public support.

“This dumbness is beyond measure. I really don’t know whether to laugh or to cry. No wonder his approval ratings have plummeted so badly,” Keyamo wrote.

He added: “Nigeria did not just dodge a bullet; it ducked a massive howitzer!”

The exchange marks the latest in a series of political clashes between Keyamo and Obi. Earlier in October, Keyamo refuted Obi’s claims about an airport incident, saying CCTV footage showed the former governor’s vehicle was parked unattended in a drop-off zone, and demanded a N25,000 fine and a public apology.

As of the time of this report, Obi had not issued a direct response to Keyamo’s latest remarks.