Why the Big and Mighty Must Respect Minister Keyamo’s Stand on KWAM 1

Power, Privilege, and Protocol: Why the Big and Mighty Must Respect Minist

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Every nation answers to the effects of power, privilege and protocol in shaping or disrupting it’s values; and how this promotes discipline or indiscipline, and  drives or retards progress.

In the wake of the dramatic airport incident involving Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), Nigeria’s aviation sector finds itself at a crossroad between enforcing safety and succumbing to the influence of power.

Minister Festus Keyamo’s decisive action to place KWAM 1 on a temporary no-fly list pending investigation is not just a regulatory move; it is a statement of principle. And it is one that must be respected—especially by the powerful allies of KWAM 1, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Principle at Stake: Rule of Law Over Rule of Men

Irrespective of our culture of impunity at high places, Nigeria’s democracy is built on institutions, not individuals. Impunity must take the backseat where safety of lives becomes an issue. When a Minister of Aviation, acting within his mandate, takes a stand to uphold international safety protocols and ensure justice, that action must be shielded from political interference.

The moment we allow personal relationships or cultural reverence to override regulatory authority, we erode the very foundation of governance.

Minister Keyamo’s directive was not a personal attack on KWAM 1. It was a necessary response to a dangerous breach of aviation protocol—one that could have endangered lives. His insistence on equal accountability for both the pilot and the passenger reflects a commitment to fairness, not favoritism.

President Tinubu is widely known to have a cordial relationship with KWAM 1, who has performed at many political events and enjoys proximity to the corridors of power. But leadership demands the ability to separate personal loyalty from institutional responsibility.

By publicly supporting Minister Keyamo’s decision—or at the very least, refraining from undermining it—President Tinubu would send a powerful message: No one is above the law, not even friends of the presidency.

Other influential figures—governors, senators, business moguls—must also resist the temptation to “pull strings” or lobby for leniency. Doing so would not only compromise the investigation but also signal to the public that Nigeria’s laws bend for the elite.

Minister Keyamo is not just an individual; he is the custodian of Nigeria’s aviation integrity. Respecting his position means respecting the safety of millions of Nigerians who fly daily. It means trusting the process of investigation and allowing institutions to function without fear or favor.

To undermine his directive is to undermine the entire aviation system—and by extension, every Nigerian who relies on it.

Nigeria must grow beyond the politics of personality. We must embrace a culture where ministers can act decisively without being second-guessed by political godfathers or celebrity entourages. The KWAM 1 saga is a test case. Will we allow the law to take its course, or will we allow influence to derail justice?

The answer lies in how the big and mighty respond—not with silence or sabotage, but with support for due process.

Minister Keyamo has drawn a line in the sand. He has chosen safety, justice, and accountability over sentiment. Now, it is up to Nigeria’s power elite—including President Tinubu—to stand behind that line and affirm that in a democracy, the law is king.

Let KWAM 1 have his day in the investigative process. Let the truth emerge. But above all, let the Minister’s authority be respected—for the sake of every Nigerian who believes in a country where rules matter.