Nigerians blast Emir Bayero's cousin over threats to Air Peace

Emir Aminu Bayero

Emir Aminu Bayero

Nigerians have taken to the social media to blast Emir Aminu Bayero’s cousin who demanded an apology from Air Peace and its chairman for refusing to carry the emir in a scheduled flight from Lagos to Abuja.

Isa Bayero, who said he is a pilot and works as chief protocol officer for the emir had called Allen Onyeama, Air Peace chairman, asking him to delay the flight for the emir who just disembarked at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from Gambia.

Isa became enraged after Air Peace declined to stop the flight that had already completed all check-in formalities, and was taxiing to take off.

The Kano prince wrote the DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, asking him to sanction Air Peace for showing disrespect to the Emir.

He doubled down by issuing a 72 hour ultimatum to the airline and Onyeama, demanding a full page newspaper apology and a personal apology by Onyema.

Isa wants Allen Onyema to come to Kano to prostrate to the emir.

Air Peace has not reacted to the ultimatum, but in an earlier statement, its chief operating officer Toyin Olajide said it acted to protect the emir’s image.

“If we had agreed to stop and delay an aircraft, already set to take-off, for another one hour only for the doors to be opened and the Emir to walk in, there would have been a very serious uproar in the media nationwide against both the airline and the Emir. This we pleaded with Isa Bayero to understand but he refused to accept.

“How could Isa Bayero want the Management of Air Peace to stop and delay a fully boarded plane with doors already shut and aircraft already moving while our respected Emir and eight others in his entourage, including Isa Bayero, were still at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos after arriving from Banjul?”

Nigerians have reacted to the controversy and the consensus is that the airline and its chairman should never stoop low to apologise.

Chidi Cali wrote his opinion on Facebook, saying the airline should ignore Isa Bayero’s rants and threats.

“Air Peace acknowledged that they was a problem when the Emir and his entourage missed their 6am Abuja flight and remedied it by giving them seats on the 7am flight.

“The airline went further to offer them a complementary flight to Kano. I, Chidi Cali travels around the world and have not seen this level of courtesy and respect Air Peace accorded to their passengers (Kano Emir and his entourage).

“I felt that these gestures should have put a rest to this quagmire, unless Isa Bayero have(sic) a personal grudge beside this incident or a looming agenda that Nigerians will eagerly wait to witness in the coming days”.

The Mother Confessor wrote on Twitter:
“Isa Bayero with their usual entitlement mentality. Even with the good gesture of the Air Peace chairman. He rebuffed it. Yet he is asking for punishment for Air Peace. This country should divide already. The North is big enough to have their own country and law.

@Taiwo16556987 a.k.a magicpen commented

“Respect to emir of Kano as a king.But “ultimatum” to apologize as per say kini o?

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“Kano people will stop flying air peace or they will ban him from “Kano airspace “.or withdraw his license …on to say he the president abi?

“Cos ko ye mi o..I mean I don’t understand”.

Etubo Lion also wrote:

‘Let us not lie and let us not steal. Oshiradarada full Naija”.

Here are some other reactions on Twitter:

Air Peace story:

Emir Bayero: Air Peace storyEmir Bayero: Air Peace story 2

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