August 21, 2024 – Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has called for transparency regarding the newly acquired presidential jet. Obi emphasized that Nigerians have the right to know the cost, age, and operational history of the aircraft, as well as details on the disposal of older jets.
In a series of posts on his official X account on Tuesday, the former Governor of Anambra State questioned the Federal Government’s handling of information about the presidential fleet. He noted that, despite initial denials, the new jet’s arrival had been confirmed, thanks to information obtained through a French court.
“Now that the presidential jet has arrived, Nigerian taxpayers, whose money was used to purchase it, need to be informed about how much it costs, how old the aircraft is, and how long it has been in operation,” Obi wrote.
He also demanded transparency regarding the older jets in the fleet, asking, “Nigerians deserve to know how the old jets are being disposed of, how many of them there are, how old they are, and why they are being sold.”
Obi stressed that transparency and accountability should be central to any genuine leadership, urging the Federal Government to provide comprehensive information about the presidential jet to the public.
He added, “The government will lose nothing but respect if it fails to provide adequate information about its leadership to the people whose money is being deployed and whose mandate the President is holding.”
Obi concluded by highlighting the significance of the presidential jet as a symbol of national sovereignty and state power, stating that the costs associated with transporting the President are matters of public accountability. He urged that Nigerians should not be denied full disclosure on the matter.
News Editor