A federal lawmaker, Clement Jimbo, has sparked outrage after using the memory of a deadly 2006 ADC plane crash to dissuade Nigerians from supporting the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a political party recently adopted by an opposition coalition seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The ADC Airline Flight 053, a Boeing 737-200, crashed shortly after takeoff from Abuja Airport on October 29, 2006, killing 96 of the 105 passengers onboard. The tragedy remains a deeply painful memory for many Nigerians who lost family members and friends in the disaster.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Jimbo, who represents Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives on the platform of APC, likened the opposition party’s future to the crash and urged people not to “board” the ADC.
“How many of you remembered the ADC flight 53 that crashed in 2006? It’s back again to crash again. Please don’t board!” he wrote.
The post, which has attracted over 230 comments, was swiftly condemned by netizens.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t post this; allow the dead to rest, please. Don’t make a mockery of such an incident, cos the relatives of the deceased might be online reading through your post, they call you MP for crying out loud,” a social media user registered as Edidiong Imah said.
Another user identified as Aniekan Udofia satirically said, “You have never disappointed me. I have said that you are the perfect example of what a young person in a position of power should not be.”
“Also remember the APC drug that was banned by NAFDAC in the year 2000 for killing innocent Nigerians,” Christopher Etukudoh queried.
Jerry Assam said, “Once you are being denied a ticket for the second time, you will calm down.” Replying to him, Jimbo said, “No matter the condition of the forest, a lion will never eat grass.”
“You talk too much, unbecoming of a lawmaker. It’s a crying shame,” Godwin Idem said.
Dozens of other commenters echoed similar sentiments, accusing the lawmaker of trivialising a national tragedy for political gain.
This is not the first time the lawmaker has faced public backlash over his social media post.
In March 2024, Jimbo was widely criticised for responding to a Facebook user who sought financial aid to pay his tuition fees. Under a motivational post by Jimbo about hard work and “delayed gratification,” a user named Tony Ofon commented, “My MP, Inemesit Clement Jimbo, please, I need your help to pay my tuition fees. My semester exams start next Wednesday.”
Jimbo responded, “Roll your sleeves and work on a construction site. A day’s work as a site operative earns a minimum of 5k.”
Many slammed his remarks as dismissive and lacking empathy, especially coming from an elected representative.
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