Senate President Godswill Akpabio has made it clear that the Senate would authorize funding for a new presidential jet only if President Bola Tinubu formally requests it.

Akpabio addressed the Senate during a plenary session, stating that there has been no official request for a presidential jet from the President. His comments followed a closed-door meeting with senators that lasted approximately an hour.

The Senate reconvened for an emergency session, cutting short their recess, to consider a bill to amend the 2023 supplementary appropriation act. This amendment would extend its implementation until December 31, 2024, as requested by President Tinubu. Akpabio emphasized that the Senate’s priority is to improve the living standards of the people while also recognizing the President’s duties.

He assured that if the President’s vehicle or plane is in need of repair, the Senate would approve the necessary funds. Akpabio highlighted the importance of maintaining or replacing defective vehicles and aircraft to ensure the President’s safety, citing past incidents where faulty planes resulted in the deaths of high-profile individuals.

He further assured that the Senate and the National Assembly would carefully consider any future requests for a presidential jet, if required. Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele confirmed that no such request has been made by the President, echoing Akpabio’s statements.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, emphasized to the media that the Senate can only deliberate on matters that are brought before it.

He clarified that the topic of aircraft has not been discussed in the Senate before, and if it does come up, it will be carefully considered based on its merits through debate.