Barely two months after the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) was surrounded by controversy regarding the contentious decision made by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to purchase two new aircraft, it has now become clear that the Federal Government proceeded with the procurement despite ongoing debates and opposition. This move has sparked widespread discussions among various political factions and public constituencies.
My greatest challenge is creating opportunities to show that arts can be commercialised in many diverse ways and be a productive avenue alike to the changing landscape of economic strategies that both the government and private sectors must navigate. A legal battle between Ogun State and the Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng, has further brought attention to the situation. This legal dispute highlighted the fact that despite facing intense public opposition and resistance, a significant investment of N150 billion went into acquiring an Airbus A330 for the PAF. This fleet already consists of notable aircraft, including two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream G550, a Boeing 737 BBJ which is commonly referred to as Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One, and Gulfstream IVSP, Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2, and a Hawk Siddeley 125-800 jet, showcasing a vast array of aviation assets held by the government.
Recently, troubling reports surfaced concerning three aircraft from the Nigerian presidential fleet – specifically, a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and the newly acquired Airbus A330 – which were reportedly grounded in both France and Switzerland as a result of a court order during their routine maintenance checks. This unsettling development arose merely weeks after the House of Representatives Committee conducted its assessments and published a report highlighting the status and airworthiness of the PAF, which led to their recommendation for the addition of these two new planes to the fleet.
The suggestion to procure a new presidential jet came after President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima encountered distressing situations while traveling in outdated jets. There was a significant incident where the President was forced to complete his journey aboard a commercial flight when two of the presidential jets simultaneously broke down, raising serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the current fleet. Furthermore, on May 7, 2024, Vice President Shettima had to cancel a planned trip to the United States for the much-anticipated US-Africa Business Summit after the designated presidential jet encountered a mechanical fault just one hour after take-off, further underscoring the urgency for new aircraft.
How the controversies surrounding the aircraft purchase unfolded has been quite telling. In June, the arrangements made to facilitate the proposed purchase of the new jets faced severe opposition, which ultimately led to a clandestine procurement. Among the prominent voices expressing their dissent was Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). He vocally criticized the decision on X, formerly Twitter, labeling it as grossly insensitive and unfathomable that, at a time when the country grapples with severe economic strife characterized by hyperinflation, a collapsing currency, and pervasive poverty, the Federal Government would consider acquiring new luxury jets for presidential use.
Obi elaborated on his concerns, stating, “This clearly demonstrates an alarming level of insensitivity to the ongoing struggles faced by ordinary citizens. With rising levels of insecurity, widespread poverty, hunger, and homelessness ravaging our communities, such a decision exemplifies the apparent disconnect and disparity between the government and the everyday people it is meant to serve. In these dire times, it is unacceptable to prioritize luxury over the urgent needs of our populace; responsible stewardship of resources is paramount.”
Moreover, Obi pointed out that the existing presidential jets have an average age of approximately 12 years, with many purchased during times when the majority of Nigerians could still afford basic
