Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to provide full transparency regarding the recent acquisition of a new presidential jet. Obi, who made the request through a series of posts on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, emphasized that Nigerians deserve to know the cost, age, and operational history of the newly acquired aircraft, as well as details concerning the disposal of older jets.
Obi stated, “Now that the presidential jet has arrived, despite all the denials and back-and-forth, Nigerian taxpayers, whose money was used to purchase it, need to be privy to how much it costs, how old the aircraft is, and how long it’s been in operation.”
He also raised questions about the fate of the older presidential jets, asking, “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.”
The former governor of Anambra State stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership, noting that these values should be central to any government. Obi argued that the government’s failure to provide adequate information about its actions would only erode public trust and respect.
“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,” Obi added.
The call for transparency comes amid growing public concern about the acquisition, particularly given the nation’s current economic challenges. Obi’s statements have further fueled the ongoing debate about the government’s spending priorities and the need for greater accountability.
