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The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, to allow for emergency repairs on the facility’s runway. 

The shutdown, confirmed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), follows growing concerns about the safety of aircraft operations at the airport.

The development comes shortly after Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading carriers operating in and out of Enugu, announced the suspension of all its flights to the airport. In a statement issued by Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications at Air Peace, the airline attributed the decision to the deteriorating condition of the runway, which has been causing repeated disruptions to flight schedules.

“We regret to inform you that all flights scheduled to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu are temporarily suspended due to safety concerns of the Enugu airport runway,” the statement read. “The situation of the Enugu runway has been causing major disruptions to Air Peace flights, hence the decision to temporarily suspend further flights into this airport until further notice. At Air Peace, we prioritize safety first over convenience.”

Air Peace further disclosed that flights previously scheduled for Enugu will now operate in and out of the Asaba airport, assuring passengers of continued service while repairs are underway.

FAAN, in its own statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, confirmed that the closure was prompted by a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway. She said emergency repairs will be carried out from April 22 to May 6, 2025.

“In compliance with Nigerian civil aviation regulations, FAAN has, therefore, closed the runway during this period,” she noted. “As part of FAAN’s commitment to passenger safety and the modernisation of airport facilities, the runway will not be open for landings or takeoffs during the rehabilitation period.”

The agency apologised for the short notice and appealed to stakeholders and travellers for understanding and cooperation during the closure. All flights scheduled for Enugu will be diverted to other nearby airports.

This marks the second major closure of the Enugu airport in recent years. In 2019, the airport was shut down for an extended period and only reopened in September 2020 after extensive rehabilitation work. However, recent reports indicate that the runway has once again fallen into disrepair, with pilots reportedly experiencing hard landings due to its poor state.

Former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose has dismissed ongoing efforts to form a political coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, describing the move as futile and lacking broad support. 

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, April 18, Fayose, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the proposed coalition, spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is “a dead horse ab initio.”

In recent weeks, several opposition figures have reportedly held strategic meetings to explore the possibility of forming a united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle. Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been at the forefront of the discussions, urging political actors across party lines to collaborate to wrest power from Tinubu and the APC. However, the proposal appears to be gaining little traction, especially within Atiku’s own party.

Earlier this week, governors elected on the PDP platform declared that they are not considering any merger or coalition with other political parties, effectively distancing themselves from Atiku’s push for a unified opposition. Fayose cited this position as a clear signal that the coalition lacks foundational support, particularly from key stakeholders within the PDP.

“Their coalition is a dead horse ab initio. Tell me one positive person or well-respected Nigerian that has given his voice in support of this coalition,” Fayose said during the programme. “The (PDP) governors’ actions and statement in Ibadan is to tell Atiku: we are not with you, we are going nowhere, we have our own identity. So, that coalition is just in the imagination of people trying to bring it to fruition. Let me say to you, it is a waste of time.”

Fayose also argued that some opposition governors are more comfortable with Tinubu’s leadership than they were with Atiku’s candidacy. He maintained that the PDP’s internal crisis, which he attributes to the disregard of the party’s zoning principle, must first be addressed before any viable coalition talks can take place.

“I publicly worked against Atiku, and I am saying for the second time, if Atiku comes again (to contest), I will work against him. It is time to learn our lesson,” Fayose said. “After eight years of a northerner, it is the turn of a southerner, which could involve someone from the east, south-west or south-south.”

Blaming the crisis in the PDP on what he described as a breach of the party’s informal power-sharing arrangement, Fayose said party members must respect unwritten agreements such as zoning if the PDP hopes to regain political relevance. “Those who gave or zoned power back to the north caused all these problems,” he said, insisting that the root of the party’s disarray lies in its inability to honour internal consensus.