Obasanjo denies escaping plane crash

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied reports that he was on board the Boeing 777-300 aircraft Ethiopian flight that escaped crashing while landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday.

There had been reports that Obasanjo and 393 other passengers on the flight from Addis-Ababa, capital of Ethiopia had escaped a crash on Wednesday.

However, Obasanjo’s spokesperson, Kehinde Akinyemi, clarified that the former president did not travel, let alone board the flight.

Akinyemi said Obasanjo had been in his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State and the former president never traveled.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Obasanjo escapes plane crash in Lagos

A news agency had reported Obasanjo was returning from a stakeholders’ dialogue on Continental Trade and Strengthening Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which ended on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, when the incident happened.

Ethiopian Airlines clarified that its Boeing 777-300 aircraft which took off in Addis Ababa on its way to Lagos encountered bad weather during landing and the airport.

According to its General Manager Nigeria, Firihiewot Mekonnen, the aircraft upon experiencing bad weather had to embark on a go – round the airport for better and smooth landing, which she said was in line with flight safety procedure.

She said: “On a second attempt, the aircraft made safe and normal landing. This was according to safety standards. Pilots are encouraged to make similar go – round in such cases. However, some media incorrectly reported this standard safety precautionary go – round.”

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