Senator Hadi Sirika, a former minister of aviation, accused the lawmaker who called the launch of Nigeria Air a sham of attempting to buy 5% of the National Carrier Air from him.
The introduction of Nigeria Air was deemed a scam by Nnolim Nnaji, the chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, during a hearing by the House of Representatives.
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He had pointed out flaws in the project and criticised the Federal Government for its conduct, which he thought was inadequate.
After giving the situation due consideration, Nnaji stated that his committee was unhappy with Sirika’s behaviour.
He had said;
We are equally irked by the role played by Ethiopian Airlines in this whole process. It does not speak well of the excellent brotherly relationship existing between our two nations.
A careful review of the process indicates the exercise to be highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria before the international community.
But speaking when he appeared on ARISE TV on Sunday, Sirika said the lawmaker approached him and asked for five percent shares of the airline for “him and his people”.
On the issue of Hon Nnaji who called Nigeria Air launch a fraud, I will respond now. I will say exactly what I told him in private when we spoke.
Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time, Honourable, a bidding process that has taken place, and some people won. So, I think you should go to those people and ask for the 5 percent.
When Reuben Abati, anchor of the show, asked the former Minister to clarify if the lawmaker indeed asked for bribe for himself and other legislators, Sirika said;
Let’s be fair, Hon Nnaji didn’t say other members. He said he wants it for himself and his people. His people could his be his family, could be members and it could be leadership. I don’t know, but he insisted on 5%. I said that he should relax and approach the owners. That’s exactly what I told him.
The former Minister also criticised Nnaji and the aviation committee for conducting what translated to a “predetermined hearing”.
