Former Anambra State Governor and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has vehemently criticised the Federal Government’s proposal to purchase new jets for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Obi’s disapproval was articulated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, where he urged the government to prioritize alleviating the suffering of the populace rather than spending scarce resources on new presidential aircraft.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recently recommended the purchase of new jets for Tinubu and Shettima.
This recommendation emerged from an investigation into the current status of the presidential air fleet, which revealed issues with several aircraft.
Notably, reports indicated that a faulty plane had forced the President to use a chartered aircraft from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia for recent international trips.
Peter Obi condemned the decision, highlighting the severe economic challenges facing Nigeria.
“At a time when the country is trending on global media for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government’s plan to buy new presidential jets demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles,” Obi stated.
Obi emphasised that the government’s priorities are misaligned with the needs of the Nigerian people.
“With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect between the government and the people.
“It is unacceptable and demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritising citizens’ welfare,” he added.
The former governor pointed out that the existing presidential jets, averaging 12 years in age, were acquired when the economic situation was relatively stable, and most Nigerians could afford basic necessities.
He added that now, with the country grappling with a significant economic downturn, high debt burdens, and borrowing to service debts, Obi argued that it is inappropriate to allocate funds for new jets.
He contrasted Nigeria’s expenditure with that of the United States, noting, “despite dropping to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, we are spending $15 million for our Vice President’s residence.
Obi called for an end to what he described as “impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness,” urging a refocus on critical sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
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