President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has recounted how he was left stranded alongside other passengers in an airport shuttle bus for almost three hours while awaiting clearance for a presidential flight to take off, despite being the sitting governor of Akwa Ibom State at the time.
Akpabio made the revelation during Tuesday’s plenary, following a motion by Senator Isah Jibril, who raised concerns over the growing disruption of commercial flight operations to accommodate the movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), warning that the practice could precipitate a major aviation disaster if left unchecked.
Lawmakers expressed concern that forcing commercial aircraft to remain airborne for extended periods while awaiting clearance for VIP movements exposes passengers and crew to significant safety risks.
Senator Abdul Ningi also recounted an experience in which a flight scheduled to last about 45 minutes from Kano kept him airborne for approximately two and a half hours due to VIP-related restrictions.
Sharing his own experience, Akpabio recalled how passengers in the airport shuttle bus became increasingly frustrated, directing angry remarks at the government while they waited for nearly three hours. He said he had to cover his face to avoid being recognised amid the passengers’ complaints.
The Senate President further questioned the timing and coordination of presidential security arrangements, noting that airport operations were sometimes restricted well ahead of the President’s actual departure.
He warned that prolonged airborne delays could become particularly dangerous during the approaching harmattan season, when adverse weather conditions and fuel limitations could further compromise flight safety.
Following deliberations, the Senate mandated its Committee on Aviation to convene an urgent meeting with relevant aviation authorities and other stakeholders to develop practical measures to address the situation.
The lawmakers also called for clarification on the categories of public officials entitled to such airport and airspace restrictions, insisting on clearly defined operational guidelines to prevent unnecessary disruptions to commercial aviation.