Former Edo State governor and current senator (APC, Edo North), Adams Oshiomhole, was involved in a heated exchange with an Air Peace airline staff at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on June 11.
The drama reportedly occurred after he allegedly missed his scheduled flight to Abuja from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Zulu Terminal.
A video circulating online shows Oshiomhole visibly upset as he engaged in a verbal altercation with airport staff.
Air Peace released a statement claiming that the senator arrived at the terminal around 6:10 a.m., while his flight was due to take off at 6:30 a.m. By the time he reached the gate, the boarding process had already closed.
The statement alleged that Oshiomhole “resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance“.
“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal,” the airline further claimed.
The airline asserted that it was compelled to “activate an operational contingency plan” to board other passengers from an alternative terminal.
Oshiomhole Denies Shutting Terminal, Insists on Equal Treatment
Oshiomhole, however, denied the accusation that he attempted to shut down the terminal or cause disruption. Speaking in an interview, he stated that he arrived at the airport before 6:00 a.m. and had checked in online before arrival.
He said he was shocked when told he was marked absent and that the only way to get on the next available flight was to pay an additional ₦109,000, which he refused.
The senator remarked that the airline staff recognised him and offered him preferential treatment, but he rejected the gesture. He insisted that the same treatment be extended to other affected passengers, including women and children who were also denied boarding despite having tickets.
“When I got to the airport, I had my checking in. They denied me,” Oshiomhole said. “Then when somebody now went inside and said it is Oshiomhole, the senior manager then came out and said ‘Oga, let’s see how I can sort you out’. I said, ‘No, I don’t want personal favours. I want my right and the right of these Nigerians to be enforced.’”
He also accused the airline of prioritizing passengers who were willing to pay higher fares over those who had booked earlier at lower prices.
“These people paid ₦146,000 at the time they bought. Those who are buying emergency tickets are paying as much as ₦250,000. So they frustrate those who pay online at the rate quoted by them and give priority to those who have no previous reservation, who are ready to pay double the price.”
No Official Response Yet from Aviation Authorities
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have not yet commented on the incident. It is still unclear whether any investigation will be launched regarding the conduct of the airline or the senator.
Meanwhile, the viral video has attracted mixed reactions online. While some criticized Oshiomhole for his actions at the airport, others praised him for standing up for ordinary Nigerians.
As of now, the matter remains unresolved.
Oshiomhole is not new to controversy. As a former trade union activist, he often clashed with state authorities, and as a governor had not a few skirmishes of note with people that went viral.
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