The presidency has denied the report making the rounds that the possible cause of the Lagos
Dana air crash was due to the delay
of the ill fated plane following closure of the airspace for
the first lady, Mrs
Patience Jonathan. Mrs Jonathan
came under criticism on Black Berry Messenger and
social networks as some people alleged the closure of the airspace for a Presidential jet
conveying her to Lagos on Sunday
is partly responsible for the mishap. The circulated reports claimed that though the Dana plane had an engine problem but could
have made it to the airport for emergency
landing if it was not delayed by the VIP movement involving the first lady.
In his reaction, Special Assistant to the First
Lady Mr Ayo Osinlu says it
is unfortunate that some people are “politicizing the Dana crash calamity.”
He said further: “We consider it callous, inhuman
and devilish for anyone to have
thought of wrapping such national calamity in political garb by insinuating that the
plane crashed because the airspace
was closed for the First Lady’s movement in Lagos.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the First Lady arrived Lagos at about 2pm on Saturday, 2nd
June, 2012 for a private engagement
and was billed to leave for Abuja on Monday, 4th June, 2012.
“In compliance with her itinerary, the First Lady arrived Lagos on Saturday. She was at a public event on Sunday when the accident occurred and promptly abandoned the ceremony as a mark of respect for the victims and retired to the State House, Marina. She left Lagos at exactly 13.15hrs on Monday, 4th
June, 2012, according to schedule.”
“In compliance with her itinerary, the First Lady arrived Lagos on Saturday. She was at a public event on Sunday when the accident occurred and promptly abandoned the ceremony as a mark of respect for the victims and retired to the State House, Marina. She left Lagos at exactly 13.15hrs on Monday, 4th
June, 2012, according to schedule.”