AUSTIN OBOH 

The Senate recently convened an emergency sitting to consider President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s supplementary appropriation for the 2024 fiscal year and included the cost of the proposed presidential jets in it. The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recommended the purchase of new aircraft for the President and the Vice-President as the existing three presidential jets had been put up for sale by the presidency for being faulty and unsafe for use. 

The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after its investigation into the condition of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet. 

Part of the committee’s report read: “The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that, considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognising the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended. 

“This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run, apart from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” 

The House had in May mandated the Committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the aircraft in the presidential fleet to ascertain their airworthiness and technical status. 

The decision followed the withdrawn motion moved by Hon. Satomi Ahmed (APC, Borno), chairman of the National Security and Intelligence Committee. 

Some lawmakers had suggested that the president should travel via commercial aircraft or by road during the heated debate. 

Ahmed’s motion followed reports of faulty aircraft in the presidential air fleet, forcing the president to use a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia during his recent trip abroad. 

Shettima had also cancelled his trip to the United States due to a fault with his aircraft when he was to represent Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa business summit. 

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Satomi said the committee would set up a technical committee to interface with the officials at the presidential air fleet and come up with a resolution. 

The sub-committee, it was learnt after engaging the presidential air fleet officials, recommended that new aircraft be purchased for Tinubu and Shettima and it was adopted by the committee. 

According to the report, the presidential fleet consists of six aircraft and six helicopters. 

The plan of the National Assembly to buy new aircraft for the president and his vice soon became a subject of public interest last week and there were condemnations from opposition parties and groups against the proposal. Prominent among the critics of the decision was Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party in the last presidential election. 

Obi was quoted as describing the National Assembly’s approval of aircraft acquisition as unacceptable and a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the Nigerians. 

Writing on his X handle on Monday, Obi said: “At a time when our country is on the front page of global newspapers for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government is contemplating buying new presidential jets. This demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles. 

“With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect that is apparent between the government and the people. “It is unacceptable as the situation in the country today more than ever demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritising citizens’ welfare. 

“It’s on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford necessities. Now, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need. Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their suffering and finding solutions to their problems.” 

Also, the Collective Movement (TCM), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), had kicked against the plan to purchase two new presidential jets for President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a misplacement of priority. 

The group in a statement by Mr. Ndubuisi Nwachukwu, its Director of Media, quoted Comrade Frank Onyeka, its coordinator as saying that the presidential jets were unnecessary especially at a time when poverty and hunger were on the increase in the country. 

The group insisted that the plan raised important questions about accountability posture of the present government. 

TCM coordinator explained that ultimately, the decision by the government to purchase two presidential jets at this austere time was very uncharitable and negated the principle of prioritising the needs of citizens, but the privileged few. 

He decried that Nigerians were finding it more difficult to feed themselves, with food inflation rising to 40.66 per cent in May. 

He added that inflation had moved by 0.26 per cent to 33.95 per cent from 33.69 per cent recorded in April. 

Onyeka called on the Federal Government to either delay or cancel outrightly plan and advised it to focus its attention on the lingering issues of hunger and deprivation, which were alarming in the country at present. 

Onyeka insisted that doing so would demonstrate the government’s commitment to stamping out austerity in the land. 

According to him, the perceived extravagance and potential misallocation of resources may undermine the government’s credibility and commitment to serving the public interest. 

He said: “Spending on luxury items like private jets, when many citizens struggle with basic needs like food, healthcare, and education, raises questions about the government’s priorities. 

“The funds allocated to purchasing and maintaining presidential jets could be better utilized to address hunger, poverty, and other pressing social issues. 

“A luxurious presidential jet may symbolise the wealth gap between the ruling elite and the general population, exacerbating frustration and discontent. With commercial airlines and charter services available, some argue that a dedicated presidential jet is not essential for official business.” 

He therefore urged the Tinubu-led government to exhibit accountability, adding that the government must justify its spending decisions and demonstrate how they aligned with the country’s most pressing needs and priorities. 

Reacting, the Presidency described Obi’s comment as insensitive. 

It wondered if Obi would prefer that the nation put the life of the president in danger through the use of faulty aircraft. 

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, while speaking with a journalist, had asked: “Does Peter Obi want the President dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us. This is a basic thing any sane government will do. You can’t toy with your President’s welfare. 

“The plane he used now, I learnt, was bought during (former President) Obasanjo’s era. That was over 20 years ago and I learnt it was a very small plane. The plane developed a problem the last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia. The President had to go from there to the UK on a commercial airline. Even those managing them said the aircraft needed to be replaced. 

“Why will any right-thinking person still want the President to move around in it? In any way, it is the National Assembly that officially recommended that new ones should be bought. Sometimes, Peter Obi opened his mouth to make unnecessary statements.” 

Controversy over the National Assembly approval of the presidency’s plan to buy new aircraft soon erupted as reports claim early this week that the Senate had also promised to back the decision of the House of Reps and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, was specifically quoted as given the word. He denied this on Wednesday. 

But on Thursday, it emerged that the Senate was not averse to the proposal after all. 

The Senate noted that no ‘anticipated’ blackmail could stop it from approving the purchase of the presidential plane if the need arose. 

The Senate also explained that there was no request for the approval of the purchase of a presidential jet before it at present. 

This was made known at the plenary by Senate President Akpabio. 

Akpabio said: “We will approve things that would improve the living standard of the people. At the same time, we will also take cognizance of the duties of the president. 

“If his vehicle is bad, we will repair the vehicle. If his plane is bad, we will approve money for the repair of the plane. So that is not an issue. There is nothing before us. I don’t think you should worry about it. 

“I read the president’s correspondence to us. Nothing was touching on a plane or no plane, but I can tell you that when you hear stories such as the death of the vice president of Malawi as a result of a defective plane, and then you hear the death of the president of Iran as a result of defective aircraft, we shouldn’t ever sit and allow such to be at the ocean. 

“It wouldn’t be. The Senate is very responsible. The National Assembly is very responsible. We will look into issues that will benefit the governance of the country. 

Before Akpabio’s comment, the Senate leader had raised the issue, stating that some fifth columnists were dishing out propaganda to the public about the Senate concerning the purchase of the presidential fleet. 

The Senate’s final clarification is timely and indicative of the intention of the National Assembly to approve the acquisition of new aircraft for the presidential fleet. The Senate would, once again, be seen to be decidedly on the same page with the executive in matters of public spending despite complaints over the Federal Government’s financial recklessness.