The All Progressives Congress-led Nigerian Government has suspended the opening of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, for commercial operations, citing security reasons.
The Anambra State government has been advertising the airport’s opening which is scheduled for Saturday, October 30, 2021.
SaharaReporters gathered that the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno on Thursday instructed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) not to go ahead with the inauguration of over security report.
Different sources however accused some APC chieftains including the party’s candidate for the November 6, 2021 Anambra governorship election, Senator Andy Ubah of lobbying and prevailing on the presidency to scuttle the event, saying the opening of the airport will give the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Prof. Charles Soludo extra advantage in the poll.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba confirmed the suspension.
Adinuba who said the development had political colouration, stated that he was informed that they cited security as the reason for the suspension of the inauguration.
The commissioner added that the governor was already discussing with the highest authority in the land, as President Muhammadu Buhari is away in Saudi Arabia.
He expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved.
“Yesterday, in the evening, we received a telephone call from NCAA saying the commissioning slated for tomorrow is no more feasible based on a telephone call from the NSA. None of these things is the right thing, so it’s good for you to know this fact.
“As I told you, everything is based on telephone call, not in writing. Government business is conducted normally in writing. The view of most Anambra people is that the action is politically motivated. There is a politically motivated interference from above, that’s the suspicion of most Anambra people.”
