A heated dispute has erupted between Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, following an incident at Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1) in Lagos that escalated into a commotion involving passengers and airline staff.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, with Air Peace accusing the former Edo State governor of disrupting its 6:30 a.m. Abuja-bound flight after allegedly missing the boarding window. In a statement, the airline claimed Oshiomhole became aggressive, assaulted staff, and blocked the terminal entrance, thereby hindering other passengers from entering.
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence… sealing the entry gate and manning the access point,” the airline alleged, adding that the disruption forced it to activate a contingency boarding plan via another terminal to accommodate stranded travelers.
Air Peace condemned what it described as “unbecoming behaviour” from a high-profile figure and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on violence, insisting its staff adhered to standard aviation protocols.
Oshiomhole Fires Back: "They Resold Our Seats at Inflated Prices"
In a detailed counter-narrative, Senator Oshiomhole dismissed the airline’s account, accusing Air Peace of engaging in exploitative practices and denying boarding to passengers who had checked in online, only to resell their seats at higher prices.
“I arrived at 6:05 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. flight. I had no luggage, and I checked in online. But they told me the gate was closed. Meanwhile, they were still allowing others in and selling tickets on the spot for over N200,000 to N300,000,” Oshiomhole stated.
He alleged that a nursing mother was also denied boarding despite arriving early and was later told to buy another ticket for N109,000, after having already paid N146,000 online. “This woman would have spent about N256,000 for a one-hour flight to Abuja,” he said, revealing that he gave her N500,000 to manage the situation.
The senator said his outcry drew the attention of airport security, including the DSS and Air Force personnel, who intervened. He insisted he did not act violently but stood his ground to defend the rights of disenfranchised passengers, many of whom echoed similar frustrations with Air Peace.
Regulatory Oversight Questioned
Oshiomhole further criticized aviation regulatory bodies, accusing them of failing to monitor or act against exploitative airline practices.
“Tomorrow, people will blame the government, but the problem lies with compromised agencies and unethical airline practices. You can’t deny people who booked early and checked in online, then sell those seats at higher prices.”
Broader Implications
The incident has since ignited debate over air travel ethics, consumer rights, and the influence of political figures in public spaces. While Air Peace has not indicated whether it will pursue legal action, Senator Oshiomhole has hinted that he may seek regulatory intervention to prevent such occurrences in the future.
As investigations continue, the incident underscores growing tensions between Nigerian air travelers and local airlines, particularly regarding flight delays, cancellations, and ticketing irregularities.
