Peter Obi, the Labour Party‘s 2023 presidential candidate, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to let Nigerians know the cost of the new presidential jet.
Obi expressed his concerns on Tuesday night through his X account, specifically questioning the Nigerian government’s acquisition of an Airbus A330 jet.
The jet, reportedly costing $100 million, has been controversial, especially after it was disclosed that a French court had seized it due to a legal dispute between a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, and the Ogun State government.
President Tinubu used the newly acquired jet during his working visit to France on Monday, despite earlier denials and conflicting reports about its purchase. The involvement of the French court eventually brought the matter to public attention.
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Obi emphasised the importance of transparency, calling on the Tinubu administration to disclose the details of the jet’s acquisition, including its cost, age, and operational history.
He also urged the government to clarify the fate of the older jets in the presidential fleet, including their number, age, and reasons for their sale.
Peter Obi wrote, “Now that the jet is here, Nigerian taxpayers, whose money was used for this purchase, deserve to know the cost, the age of the aircraft, and how long it has been in operation.
“Nigerians also have a right to know the details of the old jets being disposed of how many there are, their age, and why they are being sold. Transparency and accountability should be the cornerstone of any genuine leadership.
”Obi further warned that the federal government stands to lose respect if it fails to provide sufficient information to the public regarding its decisions.
“A presidential jet is a significant symbol of national sovereignty and state power. The cost of transporting the president is a matter of public accountability. Nigerians should not be denied full disclosure on the new presidential jet.”
A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president, is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet. -PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 20, 2024
