President Bola Tinubu and his group took two private Jets from Lagos to Pretoria on Tuesday in order to attend the inauguration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, together with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and other officials, escorted the President.
A source who was present when the President departed in two private jets alongside his members said, “Two private jets carried them there,It shows that he knows the presidential planes are in a poor condition”
Tinubu reportedly left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Presidential Wing in Ikeja around 11:06 a.m. in a Dassault Falcon 8X aircraft.
According to presidential spokeswoman Ajuri Ngelale, the President would attend Ramaphosa’s inauguration after being re-elected President for a second term.
The development happened just 24 hours after the Presidency responded to the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who objected to a request for new aircraft for the presidential fleets.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recently urged the federal government to purchase new planes for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The committee’s proposal was contained in a report issued following an investigation of the status of the presidential air fleet aircraft.
Peter Obi, on his X handle on Monday, branded the action as sad, saying it came at a time when Nigerians were experiencing economic hardship as a result of Federal Government policies.
However, the Presidency responded quickly, describing Obi’s comment as disrespectful and questioning whether he would rather risk the President’s life by flying damaged aircraft.
Onanuga had questioned the previous Anambra governor’s aim to deny the number one citizen access to a new plane for his own safety.
What they’re saying
“Does Peter Obi want the president dead? Is this his wish? Does he want him to continue travelling in a dilapidated plane and dying, like Malawi’s vice president and Iran’s president have? Let him tell us. This is something that any reasonable government would do. You cannot play with your President’s welfare.
“Why would any rational person still want the President to move around in it? Peter Obi occasionally opens his mouth to make unnecessary statements
Public perception
The public view this choice through different lenses. Some support prioritizing safety and reliability, while others criticize the perceived extravagance of using a private jet.
Final Thought
Nigerians are going through a lot, hearing and seeing the president and his allies fly private jets when some people can’t afford to eat a three square meal is another level of mental torture.
But if the presidential aircraft indeed has mechanical issues or is considered unreliable, it is understandable that Tinubu and his team would opt for private jets to ensure safety and reliability during their travel.
