Akpabio Faces Backlash Over Joke on 2006 ADC Plane Crash That Claimed Sultan of Sokoto

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come under fire for making a joke allegedly referencing the 2006 ADC Airlines plane crash, which claimed 96 lives including that of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Maccido.

The tragic incident occurred on October 29, 2006, when ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed in Abuja shortly after takeoff. The Sultan and several others were en route to an education summit organised by the Federal Government.

During plenary, Akpabio made a remark that appeared to mock the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), sparking outrage. While addressing senators, he said, “I am in total sympathy with what’s going on. The PDP is on the ground, their umbrella is turned. The Labour Party is scattered… ADC airline, ADC crashed, sorry ADC crashed even before it took off” before bursting into laughter.

The comment quickly drew criticism from the African Democratic Congress, which accused the Senate President of trivialising a national tragedy.

Reacting in a statement shared on X, ADC spokesperson Bola Abdullahi condemned Akpabio’s remarks, describing them as insensitive and unbecoming of a national leader.

“On October 29, 2006, ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed in Abuja, killing 96 people, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Maccido, who had travelled to attend an education summit organised by the Federal Government. It is this same national tragedy that the Senate President has turned into a joke and material for mockery. Who are these people?” Abdullahi wrote.

The 2006 ADC Airlines crash remains one of Nigeria’s worst aviation disasters, leaving a lasting scar on the country’s history and aviation sector.

Akpabio has yet to issue any public statement addressing the backlash his comments have generated.