The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence caused a stir recently when it requested that President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima be given two new aeroplanes by the Federal Government.
When the public learned of the committee’s recommendation, Nigerians lost control of their fury.
The committee’s report on its examination of the condition of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet included the recommendation.
“The committee is of the firm and knowledgeable opinion that it is in the best interests of the nation to acquire two additional aircrafts as recommended, given the precarious state of the Nigerian federation and the serious ramifications of any anticipated or unanticipated mishap that may result from the operational or technical deficiencies of the presidential air fleet.
The report added, “Aside from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the office of the president and vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run.”
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The committee was tasked in May by the national assembly’s lower house with carrying out a thorough examination of the presidential fleet’s aircraft to determine their technical and airworthiness status.
The assignment came about as a result of a motion made by Satomi Ahmed, the chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
Ahmed’s petition is said to have been prompted by tales of malfunctioning presidential aircraft, which resulted in the President’s recent overseas trip requiring him to use a chartered jet from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia.
There was a contentious discussion on the House floor regarding the President’s mode of transportation—a commercial jet or a car.
Some argue that even if the government wishes to purchase new planes for the president and vice president, it shouldn’t do so during this crucial time when the majority of Nigerians are struggling mightily just to eat once a day.
Remember that the Federal Government and Organised Labour have been at odds over a new national minimum wage?
The administration claimed that because of financial limitations, it could only afford N62,000, despite Labour’s demands for N250,000.
Some people are now wondering why the government decided to buy new planes when it stated that it could not afford to pay its employees the pitiful amount of N62,000 per month.
In response to the event, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed via Debo Ologunagba, national publicity secretary, that it was immoral to ask Nigerians to make additional sacrifices when the leaders don’t seem to care if they live or die.
He emphasised that since the Tinubu administration took office on May 29, 2023, the people have been making sacrifices, and the government must set an example by eliminating luxuries. He maintained that urging Nigerians to give up more would be the same as advising them to end their lives.
go home, work, or oversee the ones that are available.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves: Nigerians shouldn’t endorse this concept because it is unacceptable.
“The government has no moral right to expect the people to make sacrifices if it is spending so carelessly. In any case, telling the government to “let the poor breathe” is the right course of action. To express it to them would be appropriate.
Millions of families across this nation were unable to enjoy the incredibly wonderful Eid holiday. Because they couldn’t afford it, they were unable to rejoice.
Therefore, the government’s support of such programmes demonstrates its disconnection from the reality that people are dying every day due to a lack of food.
