The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday, faulted the plan by the Federal Government to buy new aircraft for the presidential fleets.

He described the move as insensitive while Nigerians grapple with economic hardship occasioned by the Federal Government’s policies.

But the Presidency, in a swift reaction, described Obi’s comment as insensitive, wondering if he would rather have the life of the President jeopardised by flying faulty aircraft.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “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.”

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recently called on the FG to buy new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after it investigated the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

The recommendation comes 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.

Reacting on his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra governor said it was rather unfortunate that at a time when the country was making headlines over the economic crisis, occasioned by hyperinflation, a falling currency and widespread poverty, the FG was contemplating securing new presidential jets.

He said, “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.”

“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.

Usmanovic95:
The best way to truly convince us that they inherited a dead economy😒. They have bought SUVs, yacht and Jet😒I wonder what they would have actually bought if the economy wasn't dead?

Bobloco:


But the president can toy with the people's welfare.

It seems Bayo Onanuga has been handed the reports of both the Malawi VP and the Iranian President Aircraft incidents for him to have concluded that the reason the two aircraft crashed was because it was a rickety aircraft. 

Bayo Onanuga has found a leeway to vent his frustrations and excit his fellow BATerians after making a blunder and a mess of his entire life and career in his last press release when he claimed that Nigeria budgeted 97% of revenue for debt service in 2023, which turned out to be a lie from the pit of hell.

Bayo should stop being mischievous with his press releases. No one wants Tinubu dead. Since Tinubu could go from Saudi Arabia to the UK on a commercial airline, he should continue using commercial airlines, he should as well sacrifice a little for the country especially now that there's no money to even pay Nigerian workers a living wage.

Bayo Onanuga should remember that he told Nigerians that Tinubu inherited a dead economy. Can a dead economy afford a new aircraft?

Freshfish4:
Tinubu is always saying Nigerians should sacrifice but has sacrificed nothing for Nigerians.

Them do renovations with billions, buy yacht with billions, go hajj with billions, approve costal highway with billions and now buy a presidential jet with billions.

Nothing for Nigerians, even minimum wage is hard for them to agree on.

God no dey sleep and He will surely turn around the captivity of Nigerians one day.

PressMyButton:
Bitter Obi would be very happy that the Presidency replied him one out of twenty times he barks like a dog. This time, it was because it involves the President and VP lives and could not let his foolish statement slide. Mr. Gbajue who bought 400 SUVs for roadside igwes in Anambra, is talking about wastages but wanted the President flying on charter jets which is unsafe, uneconomical and more wasteful. Lately, plane crashes have been rife around the globe. Obi is the worst opposition candidate in the history of Nigeria.