Peter Obi, politician and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has urged the Federal Government to provide a detailed account of its dealings concerning both the old and new presidential jets.
Obi’s call for transparency follows recent controversies surrounding the Ogun State government’s contract with a Chinese company, which resulted in the seizure of three aircraft.
In response to the ongoing situation, Obi emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in government operations.
He stated, “Now that the Jet is here, can Nigerian taxpayers whose money was used to purchase it need to be privy to how much it cost and how old the aircraft is and how long it’s been in operation.”
Obi further questioned the handling of the older jets, asking for information about their number, age, and the reasons behind their disposal.
“Nigerians also deserve to know about how the old jets [are] being disposed [of], how many of them, how old they are, and why they are being sold. Transparency and Accountability should be the hallmark of any genuine leadership,” Obi insisted.
He warned that the government risks losing public respect if it fails to provide adequate information about its operations.
“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’s comments come after a French court ordered Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited to seize three presidential jets from the Nigerian government over a contract breach. The Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris ruled that Nigeria could not move or sell the jets until the Chinese company received a court-awarded $74.5 million.
The seized aircraft reportedly include a Dassault Falcon 7X at Le Bourget airport in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 at Basel-Mulhouse airport in Switzerland. However, one of the jets has since been released to the Nigerian government.
The controversy has sparked criticism of the federal government’s handling of contract agreements, with some experts voicing their concerns over the situation.
In a related statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga accused the Chinese firm of attempting “to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge.”
Meanwhile, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has called for a diplomatic resolution to the dispute.
Obi concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of public accountability, particularly concerning presidential assets.
“A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president, is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet,” he stated.