Senate Didn't Approve New Jets for Tinubu, Shettima — Akpabio
Akpabio denies Senate approved new presidential jets for Tinubu, Shettima. Clarifies media report, says no approval given despite economic challenges.
The Senate did not approve the purchase of new presidential jets for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has explained.
On Tuesday, June 25, he refuted a media report that purportedly described him as supporting the National Assembly's approval of the President and Vice President's purchasing of new aircraft, despite the difficult economic circumstances facing the nation.
The alleged study made its appearance after the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended buying new planes because of safety concerns about the president's current fleet of aircraft.
President Tinubu used a private plane to South Africa last week to attend President Cyril Ramaphosa's inauguration.
The Presidency defended the choice in response to criticism from Peter Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential contender, who referred to the intention to buy new presidential aircraft as inappropriate and disrespectful.
The Senate responded quickly, denouncing Obi's statements as disrespectful. They questioned whether he would rather use malfunctioning aircraft and jeopardize the President's safety.
“Does he (Obi) want him (Tinubu) 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,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said.
However, in a statement, Akpabio, represented by his media assistant Jackson Udom, denied that the National Assembly had approved the President's purchase of a new plane.
According to the statement, the Senate President made this claim in Maiduguri, Borno State, after leading a delegation to express Senator Tahir Monguno's condolences on the death of his father.
He remarked, “I want to dispel the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he would buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever.
“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.
“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,” Akpabio said.
He asked Nigerians to keep up their prayers for the Tinubu administration and expressed satisfaction with the security situation in Borno State.
“I am happy to see that peace has returned to Borno, as a result of the hard work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to tell the good people of Borno to continue to support the administration,” Akpabio said.
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