Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has condemned the handling of the recent Ibom Air incident, describing it as a display of “double standards” and “inadequacies” in Nigeria’s justice system.
In a statement on Monday, Obi apologised to the Ibom Air crew assaulted by Miss Comfort Emmanson, stressing the need for Nigerians to uphold good conduct as “a true measure of success and decent living.”
However, he strongly criticised the treatment of Emmanson, who was publicly stripped, arraigned in court, and remanded in custody, while another individual who allegedly delayed a flight and endangered hundreds of lives remains free.
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“Stripping her publicly was not only unnecessary but also represents the height of rascality and abuse by our agencies,” Obi said, adding that it was “unacceptable” for such actions to be meted out selectively.
He argued that Emmanson’s offence does not compare to crimes committed by “those parading themselves as excellencies” who loot public funds without consequence.
Obi also questioned why the other offender in the Ibom Air saga had neither been arrested nor arraigned, accusing authorities of favouring the influential over the powerless.
“We must end this selective treatment of the poor or less privileged. If justice must be served, it should be served to all, and it must be served fairly,” he said.
Calling on the Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities to explain the apparent bias, Obi insisted that the rule of law must be upheld as the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.
