Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the Senate would approve the purchase of a new presidential jet if President Bola Tinubu requests it.
Akpabio made this statement during the plenary session on Thursday, clarifying that no such request is currently before the Senate.
“We care about the President and the Nigerian people,” Akpabio emphasized. “We will approve things that will benefit the Nigerian people and improve their living standards. If the President’s vehicle or plane needs repair, we will allocate the necessary funds. This is not an issue at present, so there’s no need for concern.”
Addressing accusations of conflicting statements, Akpabio mentioned, “Someone from BBC accused me of making false claims at Senator Mongunu’s house, suggesting I would not approve a new jet. This is anticipated blackmail. These stories are meant to pressure the Senate preemptively. We must ignore such tactics and focus on our duties. Currently, there is no correspondence from the President regarding a new plane.”
Akpabio also highlighted the importance of maintaining the presidential fleet’s safety, citing incidents involving defective aircraft leading to the deaths of high-ranking officials in other countries. “We cannot allow such risks,” he asserted.
