The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has criticized the government of President Bola Tinubu over the recent purchase of a new presidential jet.
In a statement on social media platform X, Obi demanded full disclosure of the cost and details of the acquisition.
Obi’s statement came after the arrival of the new presidential jet, which he said was initially shrouded in controversy and denial. He commended the French court for helping Nigerians uncover the truth about the purchase.
“Now that the Presidential Jet has arrived, Nigerian taxpayers deserve to know how much it cost, how old the aircraft is, and how long it’s been in operation,” Obi said. “Additionally, Nigerians have a right to know about the old jets being disposed of, how many of them, how old they are, and why they are being sold.”
Obi stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, stating that the government would lose nothing but respect if it failed to provide adequate information to the people. He described the presidential jet as a symbol of national sovereignty and state power, making its cost and maintenance a major issue of public accountability.
The Labour Party presidential candidate urged Nigerians to demand full disclosure on the new presidential jet. He said, “I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet.”
On Monday, President Tinubu travelled to France on a working visit with the newly acquired Airbus A330 business jet.
The aircraft, typically configured for twin-aisle passenger use, was purchased last month for about $100 million and has been registered under the Nigerian Air Force.
The modified jet was one of three presidential aircraft recently seized by a French court in favour of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese firm, due to a dispute with the Ogun State Government. Zhongshan, however, released one of the seized aircraft on Friday, August 16, coinciding with President Tinubu’s scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, in a move it termed a gesture of goodwill.
