There was a slight panic at the Minna Airport in Niger state when the Presidential Jet that conveyed the President to the state malfunctioning, refused to leave the airport.
The incident happened after the President and his entourage which included PDP Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, PDP Trustees Board Chairman, Tony Anenih, Sokoto governor, Attahiru Bafarawa had already boarded the plane.
The flight crew and engineers tried desperately to get the N9 billion aircraft to work properly to no avail. Armed security officials immediately surrounded the plane after it became obvious that it was not departing.
Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshal Uko Ebong, ordered that a smaller Presidential Jet which flew Vice President Namadi Sambo to Minna be used to convey the President to Sokoto, his next destination.
One source with the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria said the fault was as a result of the return engine not coming on.