The lawmaker representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has denied allegations that he disrupted Air Peace operations after missing a flight, asserting instead that he stood against systemic extortion and poor customer service by the airline.

Oshiomhole, a former Edo State Governor, addressed journalists on the issue in Abuja where he explained that he arrived on time, had checked in online, and was denied boarding while the airline sold tickets on the spot at inflated prices, disadvantaging passengers who booked earlier at lower rates.

Oshiomhole highlighted cases where passengers, including a woman with a baby, were refused boarding despite the plane still being on the ground, while others bought tickets at much higher prices.

He refused preferential treatment, insisting that his rights and those of ordinary Nigerians be respected equally, and intervened only when stranded passengers began to protest.

Air Peace, on the other hand, accused Oshiomhole of arriving late for the flight and engaging in violent and disruptive behavior, including physically assaulting staff and barricading the terminal entrance, which obstructed other passengers and disrupted airport operations.

The airline maintained that boarding had closed in line with their policies and expressed regret over the senator’s conduct, emphasizing their commitment to safety, discipline, and respect for due process.