Senate Denies Approval Of New Presidential Jets For Tinubu, Shettima

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Tuesday that the Senate had not approved buying new presidential jets for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement by his media aide Jackson Udom, Akpabio denied that the National Assembly had approved the purchase of new aircraft for the President.

"I want to dispel the rumor that you are hearing that the senate president said he will buy a new plane for the president and his vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever," he said, Premium Times reported. "I never said that. I was actually in Zanzibar, Tanzania."

"It is the handiwork of propagandists and fifth columnists, who never see anything good in what we are doing. Be rest assured, pray for the government, have patience and be assured that the combination of Tinubu and Shettima will bring wealth and prosperity to all."

The statement came after multiple reports surfaced that a House of Representatives committee has requested the federal government to purchase new aircraft for the president and vice president. This alleged request was made despite the country going through economic challenges.

The Senate committee also supported the purchase of new presidential jets. However, many Nigerians, including Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, criticized the request.

"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," Obi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"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."

The presidency swiftly responded to Obi's posts on social media, calling them insensitive and wondering if he wanted to risk Tinubu's life by flying in faulty aircraft.

They also added this was the basic thing any sane government would do for the president, noting that the country can't play with Tinubu's welfare.

Just one day after opposition criticism, the president last week arrived in South Africa in two private jets with his entourage to attend South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's inauguration.