In what could have been a national tragedy, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, along with over 100 passengers, narrowly escaped a potential air disaster at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Aviation sources confirmed to Irohinoodua that Obi, who was flying Economy Class, was aboard an Air Peace flight with registration number P47123. The aircraft took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to Lagos. The flight, originally scheduled for departure at 12:35 p.m., eventually left the ground at 12:59 p.m.
The flight was expected to arrive in Lagos by 1:55 p.m., but unsettling turbulence and control issues forced a delay, with the plane not landing until 2:25 p.m. During this 30-minute window, the aircraft hovered unpredictably, as the pilot struggled to stabilize it amid worsening weather and what eyewitnesses described as “loss of control.”
“It was a terrifying experience,” recounted one passenger who requested anonymity. “The plane made several attempts to land but kept pulling back. We were thrown into panic. People were praying, crying, and calling on God. It felt like the plane would crash into residential areas. For a moment, we thought the end had come.”
The source emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying that if the aircraft had crashed with Peter Obi on board, “no one in Nigeria or beyond would have believed it was just an accident.”
Another passenger, a mother of two, shared her traumatic experience. “The plane hovered aimlessly between ascending and descending—it was like being trapped in a nightmare. I almost gave up hope. But Peter Obi was calm throughout. He kept speaking to passengers around him, encouraging them to stay calm and trust that all would be well.”
Witnesses praised Obi’s composure during the crisis, describing him as “calm, resolute, and reassuring.” According to them, while many passengers were overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty, Obi quietly comforted those nearby, urging them to have faith and remain hopeful.
In addition to Obi’s calming presence, another passenger, Dr. Benson Onuwaje, was hailed for his courage. A businessman and devout Christian, Dr. Onuwaje was in First Class when he stood up and began to lead prayers. “The man is a vessel of God,” said fellow passenger Mathew Adekunle. “He called on the name of the Lord and assured everyone that we would land safely. His faith was contagious, and we all joined him in prayer.”
The flight eventually landed safely, bringing immense relief to all on board. Many passengers disembarked in tears, offering thanks to God for what they described as a miraculous escape.
The incident has reignited concerns about the state of Nigeria’s aviation industry. Several passengers remarked on the fragile infrastructure and called on government authorities to invest in safety and regulatory oversight. “We can’t keep flirting with disaster,” one said. “A crash involving someone like Peter Obi would have had grave consequences for national stability. We must fix this country before it breaks.”
Peter Obi had just returned from a humanitarian trip to Northern Nigeria, where he donated ₦20 million to flood victims in Niger State. After a brief stop in Abuja for a political meeting, he boarded the ill-fated Lagos-bound flight for another engagement.
“We thank God for sparing our lives,” a passenger said solemnly. “This wasn’t just a close call—it was a warning. And thank God Peter Obi was with us. His courage made a difference.”
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Air Peace have yet to issue official statements regarding the incident as investigations are likely to follow.
