Osinbajo Declined Advice to Halt Campaign After 2019 Helicopter Crash

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Seven years ago, former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo survived a helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi State, while on the campaign trail ahead of the 2019 general elections. He was campaigning for re-election alongside President Muhammadu Buhari under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, registration 5N-CML, operated by Caverton Helicopters, departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at approximately 1:46 p.m. Reports indicated smooth weather and a stable flight at around 5,000 feet altitude.

Trouble struck at about 2:20 p.m. when the aircraft’s multi-purpose flight recorder (MPFR), which functions as both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, stopped working. Just 14 minutes later, at 2:34 p.m., the helicopter crash-landed, tipping to one side after hitting the ground on its right landing gear. Remarkably, all 12 passengers, including Osinbajo, escaped uninjured.

Reflecting on the seventh anniversary, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s former media aide, revealed that the Vice-President resumed campaign activities less than an hour after the crash. Osinbajo reportedly declined advice to pause and rest, demonstrating resolve and courage in the face of danger. Akande credited their survival to divine intervention and expressed gratitude to God.

This was not Osinbajo’s first recent helicopter scare. On June 7, 2018, a helicopter transporting him to the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, developed a technical fault shortly after takeoff, forcing a return to the Presidential Villa by road. He had attended a graduation ceremony for participants of the Senior Division Course 1/2018 and was originally scheduled to fly back in the same aircraft.

Akande’s posts on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) included expressions of thanksgiving and praise, highlighting both the courage and faith displayed by Osinbajo during these incidents.

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