Presidency receives backlash over new presidential jet
On Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party condemned the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for acquiring a new $100 million presidential jet without National Assembly approval. PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi and Deputy Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor criticized the move as highly insensitive, especially given the widespread economic difficulties Nigerians are facing. They argued that the government’s decision to purchase such an extravagant asset while many citizens are struggling to make ends meet reflects poorly on its priorities.
Similarly, Yunusa Tanko, the Labour Party’s campaign spokesperson, expressed concern over the President’s choice to prioritize personal luxury over the welfare of Nigerians amid ongoing economic challenges. He emphasized that the purchase not only lacked empathy but also raised questions about transparency and accountability, suggesting that this could be indicative of broader issues with government spending.
President Tinubu used the newly acquired Airbus A330 for a working visit to France on Monday. The aircraft, now registered with the Nigerian Air Force, was acquired last month and is set to replace the older Boeing B737-700(BBJ) that had been in service since former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Tanko criticized the government’s failure to involve the National Assembly in the approval process, pointing out that the current economic climate should have prompted the government to avoid such high-profile expenditures. He also alleged that the President might have made additional expensive purchases, further highlighting a lack of regard for the public’s economic situation.
PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary Abdullahi described the jet purchase as a sign of the government’s misplaced priorities and insensitivity, given the ongoing economic crisis and widespread hardship in Nigeria. He called on Nigerians to be vigilant and hold the government accountable for what he described as another example of its disregard for the people’s needs.
The new aircraft, which features a bedroom, office space, and dining facilities, took off from Abuja for France at 4:08 pm on Monday. It arrived in Abuja on Sunday evening after a flight from France. The purchase, which reportedly followed the release of one of the Nigerian presidential jets previously seized by a French court, has sparked debate about its justification and the transparency of its funding.
Former lawmakers and civil society groups have also criticized the use of Service Wide Votes for such a purchase, questioning the appropriateness of spending large sums on luxury items without clear legislative oversight. The National Assembly has faced scrutiny over its role in approving such expenditures, with calls for greater transparency and accountability in government spending.
