Onyema not abandoned — South-East govs

GOVERNORS of the South-East states have said Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema, has note been abandoned over the allegations by the United States Department of Justice on alleged fraud and money laundering.

In a statement signed by Governors David Umahi (Ebonyi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), the South-East leaders noted that though their forum may not have full details of the matter, there were some insinuations they would not accept.

The forum frowned at insinuations that some government officials were against the Air Peace boss, and, as such, want to pull him down, stating that such statement only bred hatred and disunity.

The governors pointed out that even Onyema had, on different occasions, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assisting him in getting up to five international licenses.

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The forum pleaded with President Buhari to support and protect the Air Peace boss to enable him to sort the matter peacefully.

“The insinuations that some Nigerians or some government officials are against Mr Onyema and would want to pull him down, by all means, is a ploy to instigate hatred against Mr Onyema.

“Onyema is a successful businessman, a peaceful person who has no altercation with anybody, he has remained in the aviation industry which is highly challenging in our country even when many people could not cope.

“Onyema is at peace with the Federal Government and has on various occasions commended President Buhari for assisting him to get up to five international licenses. Many government officials of Buhari’s administration had stood for him many times in promoting and encouraging Air Peace operations in and outside Nigeria,” the statement noted.