Oshiomhole and his aides were on their way from Government House, Benin to Awka, Anambra State in the chartered OAS helicopter marked 5N-BPX AS335 for the burial of his friend's wife, Mrs. Collette Obi, when the Filipino pilot, Capt. James Manahash, received a funny signal...
The signal was from the airport’s control tower, ordering him to immediately altered course and return to the airport. He did so, disembarked and went to enquire why he was recalled.
He was told he did not pay aerodrome and landing fees and that he did not also file passengers’ manifest.
Strangely, the pilot was, however, told that he would not be allowed to fly the helicopter for reasons which were not stated to him. Not even the intervention of the governor, who was forced to disembark after sitting in the aircraft for one hour, could make the airport staff to allow the aircraft to continue with the journey.
When it became obvious he would not be allowed to fly, Oshiomhole and his aides cancelled the journey.
General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Supo Atobatele, confirmed the incident to Punch, claiming that the pilot refused to pay because he was carrying a governor.
But, the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Kassim Afegbua, pointed an accusing finger at the Presidency, saying they “are at it again.”
He said, “I think the government of the day is competing with too many crises. It is disturbing that governors are no longer recognised and respected in the scheme of things even when it is known that they were duly elected by the people.
“How do you explain the role of the NAMA clerk who grounded the governor’s helicopter and prevented him from keeping his appointment in Anambra because he was acting out a script that has become the rule of engagement by a dictatorial regime? We remain unprovoked because we are civilised people.”
But speaking to newsmen, the helicopter pilot said, “I was surprised that I was recalled after taking-off from Government House because I had communicated with the control tower on radio.
“We were already airborne when we got a call to return to the airport and they even threatened that failure to do so would lead to the complete grounding of the aircraft. The governor prevailed on me to return and listen to them.
“When we got back to the airport, I was told to pay landing and aerodrome fees which ordinarily we could pay later because we were already airborne. Even after completion of the process of payment within 10 minutes, we were still delayed for one hour fifteen minutes, with the governor still seated and thereafter left in anger.
“I’m surprised by this development because this is not the first time I would be coming to Benin to fly the governor. I was even threatened after payment, that the aircraft would be grounded completely if I argued with them. I have flown for 35 years, seven of which I spent in Nigeria and this is the first time I’m encountering a situation like this. I did not know what problem they have with the governor.”
How opposition reacted to the ugly issue, which they say has the imprint of the Presidency:
The CPC described the grounding of the aircraft as the antics of a “dying regime.” CPC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said “That is what you see with dying regimes. They lose focus, vision and start to bare their fangs.
“Can you imagine President Obama grounding the aircraft of an opponent just because they disagree politically? May be we are getting to a level where pedestrians will be grounded.
“I wonder if Oshiomole had declared intention to run for the office of President in 2015, because that is usually what happens when someone shows interest.”
National Publicity Secretary, ANPP, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said, “Aggression is the outward manifestation of frustration. The present federal government is frustrated and has resorted to hunting imaginary opponents. Suspending governors, grounding aircraft and issuing threats are all signs of despondency. A popular government has no business intimidating and coercing the opposition.”
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