The Federal Government has come out to deny claims that it purchased a new official jet for President Bola Tinubu, contrary to rumors circulating on social media.
According to Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the government actually acquired a refurbished jet for the president, which belongs to the country, not Tinubu personally.
Onanuga explained that some jets in the presidential fleet, purchased under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, are in bad condition and have outrageous maintenance costs.
Instead of spending a lot on maintenance, the President sought approval from the National Assembly for a refurbished jet that’s still in good condition. The refurbished Airbus A330 is expected to save Nigeria high maintenance costs in servicing the old aircraft.
Onanuga emphasized the importance of prioritizing the President’s safety, noting that the newly acquired plane is Nigeria’s property and will also benefit Tinubu’s successor.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, approved the purchase of the refurbished plane due to the exorbitant maintenance costs of the old aircraft.
However, the Presidency’s defense of Tinubu’s action has been met with criticism from many Nigerians and some 2023 presidential candidates. Critics argue that the President is out of touch with the struggles of poor Nigerians, who are grappling with unprecedented food inflation and energy prices that have quadrupled in the last year.
Onanuga’s statement was made during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Inside Sources” program on Sunday. He reassured Nigerians that the President’s safety is a top priority, saying, “People should try to prioritize the safety of the president. I’m not sure anybody wishes our president to go and crash in the air. We want his safety so that he can hand over to whoever wants to take over from him.
