(Senate President Akpabio. photo by Godswill Akpabio)
Senate President Godswill Akpabio says he and other politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections are finding it hard to hire private jets for their campaign trips.
He blamed the problem on Nigeria’s private airlines, which he said cannot keep up with the growing demand for air travel.
He spoke during Tuesday’s plenary session, while lawmakers were debating a motion calling for the enforcement of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and China.
Akpabio pointed to the December festive season as a time when pressure on the aviation sector will be even worse.
He urged the Federal Government to look into the challenges facing domestic airlines and ease their difficulties.
He also looked back at Nigerian Airways, the country’s former national carrier.
He recalled that the airline once flew pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and ran routes to many destinations.
According to him, it had between 32 and 40 aircraft in its fleet at its peak.
He asked how the country ended up without that airline and said Nigeria still needs a national carrier that can fly the country’s flag.
