Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has called for transparency regarding the cost, age, and operational history of the newly acquired presidential jet. Obi emphasized that Nigerians have a right to this information, given that taxpayer money was used for the purchase.
In a series of posts on his official X handle on Tuesday, the former Governor of Anambra State also raised questions about the disposal process of older presidential jets. He insisted that Nigerians deserve to know how many jets are being sold, their age, and the reasons behind their sale.
Obi wrote, “Now that the presidential jet has arrived, despite the previous denials and back-and-forth over its acquisition, the jet is here, as confirmed by a French court that helped disclose this information to Nigerians. Given this, the taxpayers who funded this purchase deserve to know how much it cost, how old the aircraft is, and how long it has been in operation.”
He continued, “Nigerians also need clarity on the disposal of the old jets—how many are being sold, how old they are, and the reasons for their sale. Transparency and accountability should be the cornerstone of any genuine leadership.”
Obi further stressed the importance of the Federal Government providing adequate information to the public, stating that failing to do so would only diminish the respect of the government in the eyes of the people.
“The government loses nothing but gains respect by providing adequate information about its leadership actions, especially when it involves public funds. A presidential jet is a significant symbol of national sovereignty and state power. The cost of transporting the president is a critical issue of public accountability. Nigerians should not be denied full disclosure about the new presidential jet,” Obi added.
