Update: Oshiomhole Accuses Air Peace of Extortion, Faults Aviation Authorities Over Passenger Treatment

 

Nigerian Senator Adams Oshiomhole has raised serious allegations against Air Peace, accusing the airline of extortion, inconsistent boarding practices, and discriminatory treatment of passengers. The lawmaker, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, shared his experience following a recent confrontation with the airline, offering a detailed account that paints a troubling picture of passenger treatment in the country's aviation sector.

Oshiomhole’s claims came in response to a statement by Air Peace, which had earlier accused him of attempting to disrupt operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos after allegedly arriving late for a flight. The airline maintained that the senator missed a Lagos-to-Abuja flight scheduled for 6:30 a.m. due to late arrival. But the former Edo State governor strongly denied the claim, stating he met the airline's check-in requirements but was deliberately denied boarding.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Oshiomhole detailed how he arrived at the Lagos airport around 6:10 p.m. for a 6:50 p.m. flight on Tuesday. He asserted that his luggage had already been checked in and he had met the required 30-minute check-in window. Despite this, he was told that boarding passes were no longer being issued. Shockingly, he said he watched other passengers who arrived after him being allowed to board without issue.

His attempt to fly was further hampered the following morning. Despite checking in online at 7:46 p.m. the night before for a 6:30 a.m. flight, Oshiomhole said he arrived at the airport at 6:05 a.m., only to be informed that the boarding gate had closed. Airline staff cited a change in policy requiring check-in 45 minutes before departure—a shift he claims was neither announced nor communicated.

According to him, the online check-in process, which should have guaranteed his spot on the flight, was rendered meaningless by arbitrary policy enforcement. Even after producing evidence of his successful online check-in and reiterating that he had no luggage to drop off, he was refused entry. Yet again, he observed other passengers, some of whom arrived later than him, being ushered through.

Beyond his own ordeal, the senator raised broader concerns about what he described as a systemic pattern of exploitation. He accused Air Peace staff of reselling tickets at inflated prices to passengers who had already booked flights but were denied boarding under the pretext of lateness. One example he cited was a woman who bought a ticket for N146,000 online but was asked to pay N250,000 for a new ticket after being denied boarding.

The situation, he argued, represents more than a customer service failure—it’s a form of economic exploitation. He further alleged that these incidents reflect a wider trend of unethical practices within the aviation industry, where passengers are forced to pay exorbitant amounts for rebooking due to opaque rules and selective enforcement.

His own experience was costly. After being denied boarding on Tuesday night, he said he had to lodge at a hotel, spending N1.5 million to accommodate himself and two Ghanaian passengers who were similarly stranded. Despite his political stature, Oshiomhole claimed he declined preferential treatment when it was offered, choosing instead to demand equal treatment for all passengers.

He emphasized that VIP impunity is at the heart of the problem, where elites are quietly “sorted out” while everyday Nigerians are left stranded or fleeced. He insisted on being treated like any other citizen and rejected attempts by staff to give him special privileges once they realized his identity.

Notably, Oshiomhole’s advocacy extended to a woman with a baby who was also denied boarding, even though the aircraft remained on the tarmac. Staff eventually offered her a seat on the next flight—at an additional cost of over N100,000. Deeply disturbed by the incident, he gave her N500,000 to ease her distress and cover travel expenses.

He criticized the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for failing in its oversight duties, saying its silence encourages arbitrary actions by airline operators. He urged the federal government to intervene and address what he described as “ruthless, primitive capitalism” undermining the rights of consumers.

Oshiomhole warned that continued exploitation of citizens could breed unrest. “When people give up hope,” he said, “bullets will not stop them.” His plea was clear: enforce regulations, protect passengers, and eliminate practices that place profit over people.

As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians are watching closely, especially those who have long endured erratic flight schedules, last-minute cancellations, and high rebooking costs without recourse. Oshiomhole’s stance may have amplified a grievance that many have silently endured—and his call for reform is already generating national attention.