Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, and former Edo State Governor and current senator for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, have become embroiled in a heated dispute following an incident at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (MMA1) on Wednesday.
The altercation, which reportedly involved flight delays and a passenger scuffle, has triggered conflicting accounts from the airline and the senator.
According to a statement released by Air Peace, the conflict began when Oshiomhole arrived late for the airline’s 6:30 a.m. flight to Abuja. The airline claimed that boarding had closed in accordance with its on-time departure policy, and the aircraft had departed on schedule.
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcibly barricading the terminal’s entrance,” Air Peace alleged in a strongly worded statement.
“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.”
Air Peace further asserted that the senator’s actions caused major operational disruptions and inconvenienced dozens of other travellers.
In response, the airline activated an emergency contingency plan to reroute affected passengers through an alternate terminal to ensure their travel could proceed with minimal delays.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel,” the airline added, reiterating its “zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers.”
However, Senator Oshiomhole offered a dramatically different account. Speaking to journalists shortly after the incident, the former labour leader accused Air Peace of mismanagement and unethical practices, claiming that passengers were deliberately prevented from boarding despite arriving on time.
“The issue was not about me,” Oshiomhole said. “There were other passengers, including elderly individuals and women, who had checked in and were waiting, only to be told they could no longer board.”
He alleged that the airline resold already allocated seats to other passengers at inflated prices, sparking protests from those who were denied boarding.
According to Oshiomhole, tensions escalated when Air Peace staff failed to provide clear explanations or alternatives to stranded passengers.
“This is not about political status or VIP treatment. It’s about fairness and the rights of Nigerian travellers who continue to face disrespect and poor service,” he said.
Eyewitnesses at the terminal have given varying accounts, with some passengers supporting the airline’s version of events and others corroborating Oshiomhole’s claims of poor handling and miscommunication.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate that an internal review may be initiated to investigate the matter.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about customer service, accountability, and professionalism within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
As both sides continue to trade accusations, calls are growing for FAAN and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intervene and establish the facts surrounding the altercation.
