A viral video circulating on social media since Monday has thrust Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North in the National Assembly and former Governor of Edo State, into a fresh controversy. The short clip, which first appeared on TikTok before being deleted by the poster, shows the 73 year old politician seated inside a luxury private jet while giving a foot massage to a woman dressed in casual attire, including pajamas. The footage has ignited widespread outrage, with critics accusing Oshiomhole of flaunting elite privilege amid Nigeria’s severe economic challenges, including soaring food prices and widespread hardship.

The video, which features Oshiomhole in a beige outfit and cap, rubbing the woman’s foot as she reclines opposite him with the jet’s interior visible including large windows showing clouds and greenery below quickly spread across platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook. Initial speculation suggested the woman might be Oshiomhole’s wife, Iara Fortes, a Cape Verdean lawyer and former model. However, investigative reporting by Sahara Reporters has identified her as a South African lifestyle influencer and adult-oriented content creator known online as @leshaandagama on TikTok (with a former Instagram account @leshaan_dagama). Her profiles reportedly describe her as a “professional sugar baby” and include warnings for “broke people to stay away.”

The incident has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived hypocrisy, especially in light of Oshiomhole’s recent public comments on Nigeria’s economy. The senator, a former labor leader who rose to prominence as president of the Nigeria Labour Congress and led strikes against fuel price hikes, has been accused of being out of touch with ordinary citizens’ struggles. Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore highlighted the contrast on Facebook, stating: “When ‘Comrade’ Oshiomhole says food prices have dropped, he’s not speaking from the marketplace; he’s speaking from 30,000 feet. A man who can casually rent a private jet for indulgent personal errands lives in a different economic universe altogether.” Sowore added that “hunger doesn’t register in first class, and inflation is invisible when your life runs on private jets and a dirty, privilege-filled lifestyle.”

Social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), echoed the sentiment in a widely shared video response. VDM questioned how a serving senator could afford such luxury, declaring: “These people no longer hide it. Before, they did it behind our backs; now they do it in our faces. How much is Adams Oshiomhole earning that he’s inside a private jet?” He pointed to Oshiomhole’s age, noting that “in his 70s [he] is using a private jet and taunting people who said God will punish him,” and argued that corrupt officials often outlive public anger while retaining their wealth. VDM urged younger Nigerians to demand greater accountability rather than empty curses.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Senator Oshiomhole has not issued a public response to the video’s authenticity, content, or the ensuing backlash. Attempts to reach his office or representatives for comment were unsuccessful.

The saga adds to Oshiomhole’s history of public controversies involving travel and privilege. In June 2025, he was involved in a heated dispute at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport with Air Peace airline after missing a flight, where he accused staff of extortion and racketeering while the airline claimed he arrived late and failed to check in online properly. Earlier in his governorship (2008–2016), opposition parties accused him of excessive spending on chartered flights and helicopters.

Oshiomhole’s political career spans decades: a former textile union leader, he became Edo State governor in 2008 after legal battles, served two terms, chaired the All Progressives Congress (APC) from 2018 to 2020, and won his senatorial seat in 2023. Critics now argue the video underscores a broader disconnect between Nigeria’s political elite and the masses grappling with inflation, unemployment, and food insecurity.

Social media reactions have ranged from memes mocking the “comrade” turned luxury enthusiast to calls for investigations into politicians’ wealth sources. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about transparency, accountability, and the optics of privilege in a nation where millions struggle daily.

No official investigations have been announced as of February 3, 2026. The video continues to trend, fueling discussions about inequality and elite excess in Nigerian politics.