Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to provide full transparency regarding the newly acquired presidential jet.
Obi made this call via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday night, expressing concerns over the acquisition of the Airbus A330 jet by the Nigerian government.
The jet, reportedly purchased for $100 million, has stirred controversy, particularly after it was revealed that it had been seized by a French court amid a legal dispute between Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited and the Ogun State government. The newly acquired jet was recently used by President Tinubu during his visit to France on Monday.
Despite earlier denials and conflicting information about the purchase, the involvement of the French court has brought the issue into the spotlight. Obi emphasized the necessity for the Tinubu administration to clarify the details of the acquisition and the status of the older jets being sold from the presidential fleet.
Obi stated, “Now that the jet is here, Nigerian taxpayers who funded its purchase have the right to know its cost, its age, and how long it has been in operation. Additionally, Nigerians should be informed about the old jets being disposed of, including their number, age, and reasons for their sale. Transparency and accountability are crucial for genuine leadership.”
He further added that failing to provide adequate information about such significant expenditures could diminish the government’s respect among the populace. “A presidential jet symbolizes national sovereignty and state power. The cost of transporting the president is a matter of public accountability. I hope Nigerians will not be denied full disclosure on this new presidential jet,” Obi concluded.
