Senate President Godswill Akpabio has drawn sharp criticism after making a joke that appeared to reference the 2006 ADC Airlines plane crash, which claimed 96 lives, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido. The tragedy occurred on 29 October 2006 when ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed in Abuja shortly after take‑off, killing everyone on board.
During a plenary session, Akpabio mocked opposition parties, saying, “The PDP is on the ground, their umbrella is turned. The Labour Party is scattered… ADC airline, ADC crashed, sorry ADC crashed even before it took off,” which elicited laughter from the chamber. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition party responded with outrage, and its spokesman, Bola Abdullahi, condemned the remarks on social media. Abdullahi reminded listeners of the 2006 disaster, noting that the crash killed 96 people, including the Sultan of Sokoto, who was traveling to an education summit. He accused Akpabio of turning a national tragedy into a joke and reviving painful memories for the victims’ families.
The 2006 ADC Airlines crash is regarded as one of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s aviation history and prompted a major overhaul of the country’s aviation safety protocols. Akpabio’s comments have been widely denounced as insensitive and disrespectful to the victims and their relatives, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding the tragedy and the need for public figures to choose their words carefully.
The controversy continues to unfold, and it remains to be seen how the Senate President will address the mounting criticism.
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