Senator Adams Oshiomhole has come under scrutiny following a disruption at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 in Lagos after missing his scheduled early morning flight to Abuja. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airline officials have responded to the incident, clarifying aviation procedures and condemning any attempt to undermine operational standards.
The former Edo State governor reportedly arrived at the airport a few minutes after 6:00 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. Air Peace flight on Wednesday. Although he had completed an online check-in and was traveling without checked luggage, he was informed at the terminal that boarding had already closed.
Addressing the media later that day, Oshiomhole accused Air Peace staff of denying him and his companions boarding access unfairly, even though they had valid bookings. He also alleged that some passengers were permitted to board during this time while he was blocked, and claimed that airline officials were reselling tickets at inflated prices to desperate passengers.
Reacting to the claims, Michael Achimugu, spokesperson for the NCAA, emphasized that airline procedures are based on global aviation regulations. In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Achimugu explained that arriving at the airport shortly before departure time is not acceptable, no matter one’s status.
“If your flight is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. and you arrive at 6:12 a.m., you are considered late,” he said. He further added that passengers who miss check-in deadlines or fail to show up on time are classified as “no-shows” and may be denied boarding.
Achimugu also addressed the common practice of overbooking, saying it’s a legitimate global strategy used by airlines to mitigate losses from passengers who don’t show up. He encouraged travelers to review the terms and conditions attached to their tickets and understand the policies governing air travel.
“Aviation is not a molue,” he stated, referencing the informal public buses common in Lagos. “There are strict protocols that must be followed. These aren’t operations based on vibes or political influence.”
Meanwhile, Air Peace released a detailed statement addressing the incident, accusing the senator of engaging in disruptive behavior. The airline stated that after being informed he had missed his flight, Oshiomhole became confrontational, allegedly assaulted a staff member, and blocked access to the terminal, preventing other passengers from entering.
Eyewitnesses at the Zulu Terminal told local media that the senator ignored appeals from airport staff and terminal management, effectively causing a temporary halt in operations. The airline condemned the incident, describing it as an “unacceptable disruption” that impacted other passengers and delayed multiple flights.
The incident has reignited conversation about the conduct of high-ranking officials in public spaces and the importance of respecting institutional processes. Many social media users have praised the NCAA and Air Peace for not bowing to pressure from political figures and upholding airline protocol.
While Oshiomhole maintains he was unjustly denied boarding despite being a legitimate passenger, aviation authorities insist the enforcement of check-in and boarding timelines applies uniformly to all travelers.
