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The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday condemned the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets in France, calling it a stark example of “failed leadership” and lack of transparency in the country.
The jets were seized by a French court over a contract dispute between Ogun State and Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. The Federal Government has vowed to take legal and diplomatic action to overturn the “inappropriate order”, citing sovereign immunity.
Obi, in an X post on Thursday, slammed the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government for their handling of the situation, arguing that the seizure exposed multiple dimensions of leadership failure, including lack of accountability, transparency and sensitivity to the plight of the poor.
Obi questioned the secrecy surrounding the purchase and sale of the aircraft, demanding answers on the extent of Ogun State’s agreement with the Chinese company and the government’s actions following a UK court ruling on the matter.
He challenged the Federal Government to be honest and transparent on the matter, saying, “The assets of the Federal Government, which belong to the people, are being managed as private family assets.”
Obi wrote, “The trending international news about the seizure of three jets belonging to the Nigerian presidential fleet is one of the many embarrassments that expose our leadership failure and our attitude towards the rule of law even in a democracy. It also exposes the various dimensions of our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.”
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“Add to that the embarrassing aspect of our country’s presidential jets being impounded for breach of contract arising from another dimension of inadequate leadership neatness. I have been vocal in demanding that governments at all levels must be accountable to the people, which means that they must be very transparent in all their dealings.
“Until the courts in France prohibit Nigeria from transferring or selling these three jets, Nigerians have not had the slightest information about the purchase and sale of these aircraft.
“This was done in secret. Federal Government property, which belongs to the people, was managed as a private family asset.
“Here are the questions that need to be answered: To what extent has the Ogun state government complied with its agreement with the Chinese company? After the UK court ruling that banned some Nigerian developments in Liverpool, what did the Ogun state and federal governments do before the French court action?
“I therefore want to challenge the federal government to be honest and transparent on this matter and tell Nigerians how we got to this current international mess.”
The seizure of the presidential jet has sparked widespread shame and anger, with many Nigerians demanding greater accountability and transparency from their leaders.
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