A coalition of civil rights organizations has issued a scathing rebuke of Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over what they describe as an “unconstitutional and ethically troubling” move to appoint Fuji music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) as an aviation ambassador.
The backlash follows a widely publicized incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where KWAM 1 was accused of physically obstructing an aircraft from taxiing on the runway during a confrontation with ValueJet staff. The altercation, captured on video and confirmed by aviation authorities, prompted Keyamo to place the musician on a no-fly list, citing “totally unacceptable behaviour… akin to a hostage situation.”
Despite the severity of the incident, Keyamo’s subsequent announcement of KWAM 1’s ambassadorial role has sparked outrage.
“This is a blatant contradiction of the rule of law,” said Aisha Bello, spokesperson for the Civil Liberties Watch. “You cannot reward someone for endangering lives and violating international aviation safety protocols. It sends the wrong message to the public and undermines the credibility of our institutions.”
Legal experts have also weighed in, questioning the legality of the appointment and its implications for aviation governance.
“The minister’s actions appear to be arbitrary and lack transparency,” said Barrister Chinedu Okeke, a constitutional lawyer. “There must be accountability, especially when public safety is involved.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had earlier suspended the pilot involved in the incident, but Keyamo criticized the agency for what he called an “imbalanced response,” insisting that KWAM 1 should face equal scrutiny.
Rights groups are now calling for a full investigation into the appointment process and demanding that the ambassadorial role be revoked immediately.
“No one is above the law,” said Bello. “Not celebrities, not politicians. We must uphold justice and protect the integrity of our aviation sector.”