The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have voiced their displeasure over the recent behavior of former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, describing it as unacceptable and a troubling reflection of the increasing incidents of unruly conduct by domestic air passengers.
Speaking on behalf of the AON, Professor Obiora Okonkwo criticized the incident and highlighted the silence of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which, he noted, had yet to issue any clarification or detailed account of the events, even two days after they occurred.
Okonkwo made his remarks during a press interaction in Lagos at an event marking United Nigeria Airlines’ entry into the SIBAS Global Distribution System (GDS). He emphasized the need for passengers to remain within the bounds of aviation laws, regardless of any grievances they may have.
“While it is important to recognize that every passenger has rights, those rights must be exercised within the framework of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the broader aviation sector,” Okonkwo stated. “No amount of frustration or disappointment entitles a person to take the law into their own hands.”
He characterized the incident involving Senator Oshiomhole as a clear-cut example of unacceptable and disruptive behavior. He stressed that such actions do not resolve issues but instead undermine the efforts and investments of aviation operators.
Okonkwo defended Air Peace, the airline involved in the incident, noting its critical role in Nigeria’s aviation industry. “Air Peace is a significant player in the domestic market, accounting for between 40 to 50 percent of passenger traffic. That level of service delivery deserves respect,” he said. “To castigate the airline is to miss the point entirely. When you analyze what he [Oshiomhole] said, it simply doesn’t hold water. No airline would willfully refuse to transport its passengers. We work tirelessly to meet passenger expectations.”
In response to the controversy, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to address the situation. He revealed that he had been in contact with both Senator Oshiomhole and representatives of Air Peace from the outset.
Keyamo emphasized that all parties must be heard before any conclusions are drawn. “In the wake of the incident at the Lagos Airport last Wednesday involving Air Peace airline and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I have been in direct contact with both parties since that morning. I also directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in jumping to conclusions in line with the time-honoured legal principle of ‘hear all sides’ before reaching judgment,” he wrote.
The minister also called for an end to the ongoing public exchange of accusations, urging all stakeholders to allow for a comprehensive investigation. “Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in such a way as to guide future conducts in similar situations.”
The incident has sparked wider concern among industry operators and regulators, who continue to highlight the challenges posed by rising passenger indiscipline, especially as domestic travel continues to grow in Nigeria.
What you should know
Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s altercation with Air Peace at Lagos Airport has drawn criticism from the Airline Operators of Nigeria, who described his conduct as unruly. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has called for a full investigation while urging all parties to remain calm and avoid further public confrontations.
