ADC calls for tough action against KWAM 1 over airport incident

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to apply the full weight of the law against Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, following his recent altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

This comes after Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced a no-fly directive against the musician for allegedly disrupting the operations of a ValueJet aircraft on Tuesday.

Reacting to the development on his official X page, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, described KWAM 1’s conduct as “an act of terrorism.”

He questioned whether the law would be applied equally in this case, knowing that he’s an official musician of the ruling party.

KWAM 1 allegedly assaulted an air hostess by pouring his drink on her after consuming alcohol, which contravenes the airline’s rules.

He was also accused of attempting to block the aircraft from taxiing after being denied boarding, an act the minister said could have resulted in a fatal accident.

Addressing the incident on Thursday, Keyamo said:  “The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here, which is akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.”

The minister further directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list pending a full investigation.

Abdullahi, however, noted that placing KWAM 1 on a no-fly list is a good place to start, but insisted that further action must be taken.

He said: “On this KWAM 1 matter, I commend my brother, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for describing the action as a ‘hostage situation.’ A hostage situation is an act of terrorism. What are the laws against terrorist actions in Nigeria? Will these laws be applied in this case? Placing KWAM 1 on a no-fly list is a good place to start. But it must not end there.

“Nigerians know that KWAM 1 is the official musician of the APC. They will therefore wait to see if this fact alone would influence how this matter is handled. If it were an ordinary citizen, it is doubtful if the individual would not be arrested on the spot and processed for prosecution.

“Even if all our airports are plated in gold, if people coming into our country feel that any drunkard could block the path of an aircraft and endanger their lives, it would amount to nothing. Pray, if KWAM 1 had done this in Europe or America, what do you think would have happened to him by now?

“What he did was the ultimate in reckless behaviour. It is an act of terrorism and it should be treated as such. You can’t give him a mere slap on the wrist for this just because he sings for the President.”