The Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Kingsley Moghalu has said it is a ‘direct slap on the face’ for Saudi Arabia to turn back a Nigerian Airline conveying passengers to its country while its President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was still in their territory.
“Saudi Arabia’s humiliation of Air Peace passengers recently by canceling their visas on arrival and demanding the Nigerian airline return to Nigeria — all while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in Saudi seeking investors is a direct slap on him and Nigeria. The Saudis don’t want Air Peace on their Jeddah route because it’s giving serious competition to Saudi Air. Air Peace fares are lower.”
Saudi Arabia had, last week, returned 177 out of 264 passengers who were onboard the Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 and had landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday, 13th November 2023 stating that they did not meet the requirement to enter their country.
According to the statement released by the Saudi embassy, it directed all the passengers to review their documents and check their conformity with the Country’s requirements. It stated that the processes were not limited to only Nigerian citizens.
The statement read: “The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to clarify the media reports and social media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom.
“The passengers who were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, didn’t fulfill the entry conditions and requirements by the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom, as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that doesn’t apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.”
Moghalu asserted that Saudi Arabia does not want Air Peace on its route as its fares are lower. He urged the Federal government to stand with its citizens and reciprocate towards Saudi Air in the same manner.
“Nigeria Government must stand up for Nigeria with the doctrine of reciprocity towards Saudi Air or some other Saudi interest. That is the only responsible thing a government must do to protect its national interest. I recall the UAE saga as well. Nigeria is being disrespected abroad. This must stop. But to do so requires a high level of seriousness, self-awareness (of the right type,) and competence.”
