Twitter was at the weekend boiling with indignation over a claim attributed to Senator Godswill Akpabio that the life of President Bola Tinubu was more important than that of ordinary Nigerians and hence the National Assembly would approve the purchase of new jets for the presidential fleet.

“We know Nigerians are hungry, but that will not stop us to approve private jet for Mr. President. His life is more important now than ordinary citizens. We have to do that as fast as possible,” Senate President Akpabio was quoted as having said.

However, many were doubtful of the assertion with the claim that a political actor like Akpabio could not have made what they described such a reckless statement with some waiting for video evidence. Whatever, many others believed the assertion.

GWG.ng reports that a national debate has recently been stirred by reports of the move to acquire new jets for the Presidential Air Fleet on account of claims of the aging of the jets in the fleet.

However, that move has been trailed by harsh criticism from the opposition led by Peter Obi on the misplacement of priorities by the Tinubu administration.

With the proposal coming up in the face of increased concerns on the increasing hardship in the land the move has unsurprisingly been met with criticisms beyond normal opposition quarters. GWG.ng gathered some reactions on the valuation of the life of Tinubu as beyond that of ordinary Nigerians by Akpabio.

Akpabio is yet to respond to the Twitter storm over his claim on Tinubu being above the life of ordinary Nigerians.

https://gwg.ng/2024/06/22/new-jet-disbelief-trails-akpabios-claim-of-tinubus-extraordinary-life/amp/

At a time when our country is trending on the global media for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government's plan to buy new presidential jets demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens' struggles.

With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect between the government and the people. It is unacceptable and demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritizing citizens' welfare.

It's on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford basic 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. For long, our bad leadership has made our priorities, as leaders, to be at variance to the needs of society, which is why we are headed now south, as a nation.

To elucidate further, despite dropping down to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, with huge debt burdens and borrowing to service debts, yet, we are spending $15 million for our Vice President's residence, while the USA, the world's largest economy with a GDP of $25 trillion, about 100 times our GDP, and a per capita income of $80,000, about 80 times ours, still houses their Vice President in Number 1 Observatory Circle, a house built over 100 years ago,

and whose value is obviously less than the $15 million we are spending on our VP's residence. A reputable real estate company, actually, reports that the US Vice President's Official Residence is valued at about $7.5 million today.

While we had earlier refurbished the old VP residence with $2 million, the over 100 years old US Vice President's house has only undergone widescale renovations twice, funded by tax payers money; in 1993 and in 2021. Every new US VP is free to finance any minor refurbishing from his personal funds. It's, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people. We must prioritize 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. Let's rise to the challenge, and build this new Nigeria which is now more possible than ever before. -PO

PeterObi
nlfpmod

“We know Nigerians are hungry, but that will not stop us to approve private jet for Mr. President. His life is more important now than ordinary citizens. We have to do that as fast as possible,” Senate President Akpabio was quoted as having said.

More reactions;

Godswill Akpabio have always been an uncouth foul langauge arrogant fellow with no iota of respect for the pain, anguish, and suffering Nigerians are facing under this satanic government.

Terrible country with terribly wicked insensitive leaders.