Senator Oshiomhole Faces Backlash Over Private Jet Video
The Oshiomhole private jet video has ignited widespread outrage across Nigeria’s digital space, placing Senator Adams Oshiomhole at the center of a growing public backlash. The controversy erupted on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, after a video surfaced online showing the former Edo State governor relaxing aboard a luxury private jet while receiving a foot massage from a female companion.
The footage spread rapidly across social media platforms, triggering intense debate over political privilege and public sensitivity at a time when many Nigerians are battling rising inflation, soaring living costs, and deepening economic hardship.
In the video, Oshiomhole is seen lounging comfortably inside the plush cabin of the aircraft, a setting that instantly became symbolic to critics of the widening gap between Nigeria’s political elite and ordinary citizens. Reactions were swift and heated, with many Nigerians questioning the appropriateness of such displays of luxury given the country’s economic climate.
As the clip gained traction, online users began scrutinising the identity of the woman seen with the senator. Several social media commentators claim she is a South African national who allegedly presents herself as a professional sugar baby on certain online platforms. Although the nature of their relationship has not been officially confirmed, the speculation has amplified public criticism.
For many observers, the issue goes beyond personal relationships. Critics argue that the imagery clashes sharply with Oshiomhole’s long cultivated reputation as a man of the people. His political rise was closely tied to his years as president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, where he built a following as a vocal defender of workers’ rights and the downtrodden.
The timing of the video leak has further intensified public anger. Nigerians currently facing subsidy removals, increased taxation, and stagnant wages flooded platforms such as X and Facebook with pointed questions about wealth and accountability. Many comments focused on the cost of private jet travel, which runs into thousands of dollars per hour, and what such expenses represent in a struggling economy.
“This is what our taxes are funding,” one widely shared post read, echoing a sentiment repeated across comment sections of major news outlets. To many, the combination of private aviation and luxury services embodied what they see as political insensitivity and elite excess.
Political analysts suggest the incident could damage Oshiomhole’s standing among grassroots supporters who once admired his populist rhetoric. One analyst described the visuals as deeply damaging, noting that images of luxury are especially risky for politicians whose credibility is rooted in labour activism and working class advocacy.
While some supporters argue that the video reflects a private moment unrelated to legislative performance, the sheer volume of negative reactions indicates that many Nigerians are unwilling to separate personal lifestyle from public office.
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As of the time of this report, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the Senate, has not issued an official response to the viral footage. Whether the video was leaked intentionally or shared inadvertently, its impact on public perception is already evident.
In an age where private moments quickly become public conversations, the episode serves as a stark reminder to Nigeria’s political class that public trust is shaped not only by policy decisions but also by the images leaders project while the nation watches closely.