Labour Party accused “the powers that be” of being responsible for the action.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has refuted the allegation of grounding the private jet, known as ‘Obidient aircraft’ belonging to the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The plan which which was Oyo-bound for a presidential rally was not permitted to take off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The media head of the Obi-Yusuf Datti presidential campaign council, Diran Onifade accused “the powers that be” of being responsible for the action.
The regulatory body NCAA has refuted the allegations, saying it was the pilot of the ‘Obidient’ plane who returned after noticing some faults in the aircraft.
I understand NCAA did not ground any aircraft today (yesterday). The aircraft being said to be grounded is mere sensationalism.
“The reason is that the flight crew made an air return soon after takeoff and had issues they needed to come back and correct.
“This is what is termed as safety precautionary flight. Let’s be careful not to drag NCAA into politics in its operations. Our mandate is to ensure the safety of all aircraft operating in Nigeria airspace, regardless of whom they carry.
“Presidential candidates of all parties in the country have been flying around and NCAA’s mandate is to ensure that every aircraft flying meets safety standard.
“We have been grounding planes not fit for flying before now.
“When former President, Olusegun Obasanjo was campaigning for a second term, he wanted to use a particular plane donated by a Nigerian. We noticed that the aircraft was not fit for flying, we grounded it,” Sam Adurogboye, the NCAA spokesperson said.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed knowing the alleged grounding of aircraft meant to fly the Labour Party team from Lagos to Ibadan.
 has refuted the allegation of grounding the private jet, known as 'Obidient aircraft' belonging to the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.){kind=link}