By John Ogunsemore
The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has urged the Nigerian elite to show more support for indigenous businesses.
Obi made the call in a Saturday statement following a rift between Senator for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole and local airline, Air Peace.
Oshiomhole and Air Peace have been at daggers drawn since an incident at the Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday.
Air Peace accused the senator of disruptive behaviour, including physically assaulting its staff, after missing his flight due to late arrival for check-in.
In response, the former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) accused the airline of extorting Nigerians, noting that he, along with a crowd of other angry passengers, saw airline staff clearing passengers who arrived later.
In his statement, Obi said he flew to London aboard an Air Peace flight from Lagos, for the 12th time, on Saturday and thanked the management and staff of the airline for their professionalism, consistency, and competence on the route.
The former Anambra governor added, “Once again, I use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerian elites and political leaders to give strong and deliberate support to indigenous businesses.
“It is never easy to run any business in our difficult environment, let alone highly capital-intensive sectors like air and land transportation, especially given the challenges of competitiveness and rising operational costs.
“Nigerian businesses need our encouragement and patronage, not harassment or unnecessary intimidation.
“Supporting local businesses, particularly those that create massive employment, is critical for job creation, economic growth, and sustainable national development.”
