Jonathan Impounds Amaechi’s Jet In Kano For Backing Sanusi As New Emir of Kano

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday night ordered Nigerian aviation authorities to prevent the jet carrying Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi from leaving the Kano International Airport.

The plane was grounded after security agencies decided APC leader Bola Tinubu, ex-governor Bukola Saraki, ex-governor Danjuma Goje and Governor Amaechi were instrumental to pressurizing the Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to ratify ex-CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as new Emir of Kano.

The Bombardier aircraft which was recently released to the governor could not leave the airport as aviation agencies claimed there was an order "from above" to stop flights out of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, leaving the governor and his aides no other option than to travel by road out of Kano at the risk of their lives...

According to Sahara Reporters, the National Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) operatives refused to give clearance to the governor's jet to take off. Amaechi reportedly left Kano around 8pm Nigerian time by road en route to Port Harcourt.

The Kano State commissioner for State Affairs, Aminu Abdusalam who was responsible for hosting guests to the governor confirmed the development in a short speech tonight in Kano. The seizure of Ameachi's jets followed a riot in Kano against Sanusi's choice as Emir.

This will not be the first time Governor Amaechi's jet would be impounded by president Jonathan, on April 26th 2013, the governor and his entourage was grounded for about two hours at the Akure Airport, Ondo State, on the allegations that it violated aviation procedures before take-off. The jet was later seized by the Nigerian government until it was released last week.