The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), on Monday berated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for purchasing a new Presidential jet worth $100m without the approval of the National Assembly.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, and Deputy Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the action of the government as insensitive especially as Nigerians are generally facing hard times and struggling to feed.
Similarly, the Spokesperson for Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said it was worrisome that the President would prioritise his convenience over the well-being of the generality of Nigerians amid the economic hardship in the country.
On Monday, President Tinubu embarked on a working visit to France aboard the newly acquired Airbus A330 business jet which is registered to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).
This model, typically used as a twin-aisle passenger aircraft, was purchased last month at a cost of $100m.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, shared images of the Presidential jet on his verified X handle, providing the public with a glimpse of the new addition to the Presidential fleet.
The images quickly gained attention, showcasing the jet’s modern features.
According to Onanuga, this new jet replaces the older Boeing B737-700 (BBJ), which had been in service for 19 years since its purchase during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The upgrade marks a significant step in modernising the presidential fleet.
The LP Spokesperson lamented in an interview with The PUNCH that in a country where the people are wallowing in deep poverty, the President shouldn’t be seen purchasing a luxury jet.
According to Tanko: “We thank God that the Freedom of Information Act gives the right to access some information, whether by writing or you ask directly. So, every Nigerian has a right to know, apart from the constitutional right that the government must be transparent and accountable to the people.
“There are so many shady deals being done by this particular government that the people are not holding them accountable for them. The purchase of the jet is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, we heard that the President has allegedly bought a new car for himself.
“Obviously, they are just taking care of themselves at the expense of Nigerians. In a normal setting, the National Assembly should have known about it and decided whether to approve or not. The situation we found ourselves in this country is very appalling.
“So this government has to come clean and tell Nigerians where it got the money for a $100m worth of airbus when the people are wallowing in poverty. No empathy or show of pity for the people. Can you imagine we bought fuel for use today at N970 per litre at the pump?”
The PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi, also told The PUNCH that the purchase of the Presidential aircraft, made while Nigerians were enduring hunger and hardship, reflected the lack of seriousness of the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
“This confirms the unseriousness and misplaced priorities of this government, which they have shown even before taking office. They have chosen to embark on goose-chasing and white elephant projects that are not in the interest of the nation.
“Despite the hardship in the country and the ongoing economic crisis, the inept APC government has remained deaf to the pleas of Nigerians, yet they proceeded to purchase another aircraft for a fleet that already includes no fewer than nine presidential aircraft.
“This is just another confirmation of the insensitivity of this government and the promotion of godlessness at the expense of the citizenry they swore to protect. We are watching, we are disturbed, and we are calling on Nigerians to take stock of all that is happening. If we do not come together to address the situation, it will be unfortunate for this country going forward,” Abdullahi said.
The PDP National Deputy Youth Leader Osadolor similarly knocked the government: “This shows how insensitive the Tinubu government is. For a man who has served as both a governor and a senator, and is now the President, to engage in acts of impunity while Nigerians are suffering from economic crises and challenges, is deeply concerning. I believe it not only demonstrates insensitivity but also violates the constitutional procedures for such actions.
“If the President and his team were sensitive, they would have considered the nation’s mood and the state of the economy before engaging in this kind of frivolous and unethical purchases and practices.”
President Tinubu, alongside some of his key aides, departed Abuja for France on Monday in the new Airbus A330 business jet. The aircraft took off at 4.08 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
Earlier on Monday, sources with knowledge of the President’s trip confirmed that the new aircraft landed in Abuja at 08:30 pm Sunday after a nearly five-hour flight from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France.
“The plane arrived yesterday and the President will be using it to travel to France today,” said a Presidency official who asked not to be named.
On Sunday evening, a statement by Tinubu’s spokesperson, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, announced that the President would embark on his fourth trip to the European country on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Although the Presidency did not state the purpose and duration of Mr. Tinubu’s visit, it said “The President will return to the country after his brief work stay in France.”
The modified jet is one of the three presidential aircraft recently seized by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, over a dispute with the Ogun State Government.
However, on Friday, August 16, Zhongshan announced that it had decided to release one of the three presidential aircraft belonging to the Nigerian government, which had been clipped down in France.
The Chinese firm said it did so as a gesture of goodwill, referencing a scheduled meeting between President Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
Zhongshan said it realised the importance of the aircraft for this diplomatic engagement and, therefore, availed the equipment for use.
The dispute came just weeks before President Tinubu’s scheduled participation at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation holding in Beijing, China, from September 3 to 8, 2024.
In July, the new aircraft was reportedly spotted in Germany with its tail livery featuring the seal of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Valued at $100m (N150bn), it contains a bedroom, an office space and a conference and dining room and will make its maiden trip with the President aboard on Monday.
The above report was originally published in The PUNCH