Security analysts and political watchers are deeply concern over the decision by the authorities to fly Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on a private aircraft outside the presidential air fleet expected to fly him within the country while conspiracy theorists have raised the alarm, alleging sabotage.
This is coming as the vice president yesterday said God’s mercy and the special prayer of protection that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, prayed for him last Friday were responsible for his escape in the helicopter crash.
The Vice President said on Sunday that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and nine others in Saturday’s helicopter crash.
The chopper belonging to Carverton Helicopters crash landed in Kabba Stadium in Kogi State, while conveying Osinbajo to a campaign rally.
But in its reaction to the crash, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said weekend it could not explain why the decision to fly the Vice President on a commercial helicopter was taken but noted that the NAF aircraft in the presidential air fleet regularly flew the vice president to official duties.
NAF also issued a statement to the effect that none of its planes flew the vice president to Kogi contrary to videos circulated on social media.
And security analysts and political watchers have expressed concern over the decision by the authorities to fly the Vice President on a private aircraft as against the official aircraft from the presidential fleet put in place to convey him to his official engagements around the country.
“Even in a campaign period, it is strange that a vice president would travel on a commercial helicopter when the presidential fleet is replete with helicopters and other aircraft that can convey him to the rally. Why is it so?,” a security analyst and Chairman, Security Imperatives, George Amata, queried.
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, in his reaction, said the crash was “suspicious” and reminiscent of the crash that killed late former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi (rtd) and former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa.
“Interesting to note that the helicopter crash that almost took the life of @Prof. Osinbajo occured in Kabba…
“Also interesting to note what happened as the pilot tried to land. Reminds me of the suspicious “crash” that killed Azazi and Yakowa. I smell a rat”, he tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said weekend it could not explain the rationale behind the decision to fly Osinbajo on a commercial helicopter.
