Chairman of Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, Allen Onyema, on Wednesday condemned what he described as an orchestrated campaign to tarnish the image of the airline, urging Nigerians to abandon the “pull-him-down syndrome” that stifles indigenous businesses.
Speaking during a press briefing at Air Peace’s Lagos headquarters, Onyema—without directly naming Senator Adams Oshiomhole—addressed the recent controversy involving a missed flight and subsequent accusations leveled by the former Edo State governor.
“We demand to be applauded. We demand to be appreciated by our country,” Onyema said, citing Air Peace’s contributions to national crises, including evacuation missions done free of charge.
He lamented what he sees as ethnic bias and internal sabotage, stressing the need for Nigerians to rally behind local businesses that create employment and national value.
“Do not look at a business and say: ‘this is owned by an Igbo man… let us bring it down.’ If you destroy any indigenous business… you do not know where the next suicide bomber, armed robber or kidnapper will come from,” he warned.
Heathrow Slot Secured, Abuja-London Flights to Begin October 26
Onyema also announced that Air Peace has secured flight slots at London Heathrow Airport, with new Abuja–London operations slated to begin on October 26, 2025.
He credited the milestone to growing international confidence in the airline and extended appreciation to the British aviation authorities, President Bola Tinubu, and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo for their support.
“They rewarded us with Heathrow. We will also do some Gatwick because they granted us seven days to Gatwick,” Onyema stated.
The airline’s expansion comes amid its current daily London service from Lagos and represents a major gain for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Background: Clash with Oshiomhole
The statement follows public friction between Air Peace and Senator Oshiomhole, who accused the airline of mismanaging its check-in procedures and missing passengers. In response, Air Peace management clarified that the senator failed to check in online and arrived after the cut-off time, insisting its staff acted professionally.
