Political leaders are bandits against Nigerians – Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has condemned all current political office holders in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, calling them “bandits” who are preoccupied with embezzling public funds for personal gain.

Ezekwesili made these remarks during a Channels TV broadcast on Tuesday night, where she criticized President Tinubu’s recent acquisition of a N150 billion luxury jet.

She argued that Tinubu’s actions demonstrate a lack of sensitivity to the widespread economic hardship in Nigeria, stating, “It seems that the political class, including the executive branch, the presidency, and the National Assembly, have chosen to exploit and deceive the Nigerian people.
The current priorities of the government—such as purchasing an extravagant aircraft for the president, constructing a N20 billion residence for the Vice President, and acquiring luxurious vehicles—are completely out of touch with the severe poverty and hunger affecting the population.”

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has called on President Tinubu to disclose the exact cost of the new presidential jet and its age. Obi’s demand, made through a series of posts on his X account, came in response to the public outcry over the new jet purchase amid significant economic struggles in the country. He also requested information on how the old presidential jets are being disposed of, including their number, age, and reasons for their sale.