By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s presidency has accused opposition figure Peter Obi of wishing the country’s leader, Bola Tinubu harm, wondering why Obi a former Governor of Anambra would kick against the plan to purchase new aircrafts for the President and his Vice.
Heritage Times HT recalls that Obi, who was the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 polls had faulted the plan by the Federal Government to buy new aircrafts to be added to the presidential fleets.
He described the move as insensitive while Nigerians grapple with economic hardship occasioned by the Federal Government’s policies.
The presidency in a response through the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, wondered if the opposition leader would rather have the life of the President jeopardised by flying a faulty aircraft.
“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.”
Earlier, Heritage Times HT had reported that the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the purchase of new aircrafts for President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima to the federal government.
The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after it investigated the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.
It came a few months after three planes from the Presidential Air Fleet were pencilled down for sale.
But Obi described the move as unacceptable and a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the Nigerian people.
“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 is 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.
“While we had earlier refurbished the old VP residence with $2m, the over 100-year-old US Vice President’s house has only undergone wide-scale renovations twice, funded by taxpayers’ money; in 1993 and 2021. Every new US VP is free to finance any minor refurbishing from his funds.
“It is, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people. We must prioritise education, healthcare, and lifting our citizens out of poverty. Let us work together to build a nation that truly serves its people, not just the interests of a few”, Obi said on his X, formerly known as Twitter on Monday.
