The Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has accused aviation authorities of double standards in their handling of two recent high-profile air travel incidents involving airline crew, a female passenger, and Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM 1.
Gatekeepers News reports that the group spoke on the incidents in a statement issued by Ken Asogwa, senior special adviser on media to the LP interim chairperson.
The faction noted that Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger who assaulted a flight attendant and clashed with airport security, was swiftly sanctioned, banned from all domestic and international flights, and later remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre until October 6.
They alleged that however in contrast, there has been little action against KWAM 1 despite claims that he breached aviation safety regulations during a confrontation at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Although the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) initially placed him on a temporary no-fly list and called for investigations, the LP faction said the case has been quietly downplayed. Theyvargued that the disparity in responses reveals a selective justice system.
The statement reads, “Last week, Nigerians were stunned by the disturbing report that a popular Fuji musician, K1 De Ultimate – a personal friend of President Bola Tinubu – allegedly endangered the lives of hundreds of passengers aboard a Value Jet aircraft by attempting to stop a taxiing plane.”
“This flagrant violation of established aviation safety regulations was conveniently glossed over by the relevant authorities, apparently because of the musician’s proximity to the President.”
While acknowledging that Emmanson’s conduct was unacceptable, Usman described her treatment as a blatant violation of her constitutional right to dignity, especially when compared to the softer approach toward KWAM 1.
She said, “The message from these two episodes could not be clearer: if you are connected to those in power, you can flout the law with impunity. If you are not, the system will come down on you with crushing force.”
“This selective application of justice is not justice at all — it is the most insidious form of pretended justice.”
“The message from these incidents is clear: if you have ties to those in power, you can defy the law without consequence; if you don’t, the system will crush you,” she said, calling this “the most insidious form of pretended justice.”
The LP interim chairperson urged President Tinubu to honour the national anthem’s call for “truth and justice” by ensuring KWAM 1 faces the same penalties as Emmanson.
