As Nigeria goes to the polls tomorrow, Saturday, investigations have shown the number of international flight tickets for families of many prominent N
As Nigeria goes to the polls tomorrow, Saturday, investigations have shown the number of international flight tickets for families of many prominent Nigerians and politicians as well as expatriates to have increased beyond normal. Between January and the first week in February, many prominent families had bought tickets to travel out of the country to top destinations such as Dubai ( United Arab Emirates), Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
A travel agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was normal for politicians to move their families out of the country during elections. He, however, added that the fact that they (politicians) were buying international flight tickets did not mean they would eventually travel out of the country. According to him, such families sometimes buy the tickets but stay in secluded places within the country until elections are over.
According to the Director of Research, Zenith Travels, Olumide Ohunayo, “There is a huge divide between the supporters of the two major presidential candidates, making it look more like a war situation. So, it is not surprising that some people are leaving the country.”
Ohunayo said that apart from some politicians and elite, expatriates and companies that had technical partners had also seen many of their staff members going on vacation abroad, pending the outcome of the elections.
“We just hope the elections come and go so we can live normal lives and everyone can move on with their lives,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Aglow Limited, an aviation support services company, Mr Tayo Ojuri, said it had been a trend in the increase in the movement of Nigerians and expatriates. He said some of the movements were based on security reports from embassies and companies that evaluated and controlled risks.
“Many people are travelling, some expatriates’ insurance terms do not allow them to stay in a country during elections, they move and return afterwards.
But the President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, Mr Bankole Bernard, also confirmed that there had been an increase in international travels but was cautious in linking the development to the elections.
He said, “Yes, there has been an increase but we must be careful not to tie it to the elections. Although it is expected because once it is an election, people want to play safe by travelling out. Expatriates especially don’t want to be trapped because it will cost more to evacuate them when they could fly out and return when elections are over.”
