‘I’ll take you down before I die’ — Keyamo threatens to sack underperforming aviation agencies’ CEOs

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace, says he would sack the chief executive officers (CEOs) of agencies under his ministry who fail to perform and deliver on their tasks.

Keyamo spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Saturday.

The politician said all ministers have been mandated to give their utmost best or be removed from their positions.

On November 1, President Bola Tinubu had threatened to ease out underperforming ministers from his cabinet.

“We had a three-day retreat with Mr. President, all the ministers. At the end of the day, we signed a performance bond. I also signed my performance bond yesterday,” Keyamo said.

“So, if you don’t want me to get sacked in the next few months, you need to support me.

“On this side, it is either I get sacked or they get sacked. So, it is a race to who will survive. That’s what I have told all my CEOs, somebody must die first but before I die. I will take you down.”

Speaking on the retreat, Keyamo said the meeting was set up to receive inputs from “you as technocrats and players in the industry”.

“Your input will add value to the road map or focus area that the industry will prioritise to make our aviation sector world-class and meet the aspirations of Nigerians and all aviation stakeholders,” he added.

“As you are aware, Mr. President has unveiled his economic plan. The three-year economic revival plan that emerged from his inaugural federal executive council meeting is anchored in an eight-point focus area targeted at addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

“It seeks to move away from the frenzied borrowing of the last government, check the unacceptably high jobless rate, achieve economic growth, prosperity for all, and end poverty.

“This, we as an industry, will factor into our focus areas for the development of the industry and in turn the economic development of our nation.”

Keyamo, therefore, urged the stakeholders to desist from blame games and focus on solving the problems in the industry.