Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the recent seizure of three jets from Nigeria’s presidential fleet by a French court, labeling it an “international embarrassment.”
In a statement shared on his X handle, Obi criticized the Nigerian government’s handling of the situation, which he argues highlights significant leadership failures and a disregard for the rule of law.
Obi pointed out that the federal government proceeded with the controversial purchase of the jets amidst widespread public outcry and severe economic hardship facing the nation. He emphasized that spending approximately $100 million on a presidential jet while Nigeria grapples with high poverty rates, food inflation exceeding 40%, and a large number of out-of-school children reflects a deep insensitivity to the people’s plight.
The jets were seized due to a contractual dispute involving the Ogun State government and a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., which had previously won an arbitration award against the Nigerian government. Obi has called for transparency and accountability from the federal government regarding the circumstances surrounding the jets’ acquisition and the ongoing legal issues.
He posed critical questions regarding the Ogun State government’s adherence to its agreements with the Chinese firm and urged the federal government to clarify how Nigeria found itself in this predicament. Obi’s statements underscore a growing concern over governance in Nigeria and the need for leaders to be more accountable to the citizens they serve.
