Guardian

THE African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and Justice Research Centre (JRC) Monday condemned the controversy trailing last weekend’s grounding of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s chattered helicopter, calling for apology to him over the alleged embarrassment.

A statement from the JRC signed by Inwalomhe Donald  said: “What played out in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, recently when the Rivers State’s jet that conveyed Governor Rotimi Amaechi to the state was grounded for a few hours, was replicated in Benin City last Friday as the chartered helicopter meant to convey Oshiomhole and his aides to the burial ceremony of the late wife of Senator Ben Obi in Anambra State was grounded by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for allegedly not paying required dues. They are part of the build-up to the 2015 general elections, which is getting messier by the day.

“The incident is connected to the ongoing alleged onslaught against governors perceived to have played a role in the re-election of Amaechi as chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).”

Also, the Executive Director, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, called on the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, to tender unreserved apology to the governor for the grounding of the helicopter. Ugolor urged the Presidency and the National Assembly to warn that the politicisation of NAMA would send wrong signals to the international community. He further urged them to take urgent steps to protect the autonomy of the agency.