The People’s Redemption Party (PRP), blamed the National Assembly’s plan to approve the purchase of new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The House of Representatives Security and Intelligence Committee in a recent hearing, had asked the Federal Government to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and Shettima as the existing aircraft in the presidential fleet were old.
The committee’s recommendation follows reports of aircraft damage in the presidential air fleet that forced the president to use chartered aircraft during his recent trip abroad.
But the PRP in a statement issued at the weekend by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, said that purchasing aircraft for the President and Vice President at a time when Nigerians are experiencing unbearable hardship and starvation is the most insensitive thing to do.
The party urged the government to address pressing problems such as poverty, unemployment and economic stagnation rather than going on a spending spree.
The statement reads:
“The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) is appalled by the insensitive and wasteful decision of the APC government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to purchase new aircraft for the Presidential fleet, at a time when the country is grappling with crippling economic woes and citizens are in dire straits . struggling to make ends meet.
“At a time when the economy is in decline, with the inflation rate approaching 40% and workers’ wages yet to be reviewed, it makes no sense for the government to prioritize spending on luxury goods over people’s welfare.
“The proposed purchase of new aircraft for the presidential fleet is clear evidence of the government’s detachment from reality and lack of empathy and accountability.
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“We urge the government to remember that they are not serving themselves but the Nigerian people. The government must focus on solving pressing problems such as poverty, unemployment and economic stagnation rather than carrying out massive spending.
“For example, China, the world’s second largest economy, purchased the Presidential jet from Boeing in 2000 and has flown it for 24 years. Likewise, the United States, the country with the largest economy in the world, has a presidential jet manufactured by Boeing which was purchased in 1990 and has been used by six consecutive American presidents over 34 years.
“In contrast, the Nigerian Presidential Jet was purchased in 2003 and entered service in 2005, so it is only 19 years old.
“We cannot understand why our government does not learn from the good examples mentioned above despite the fact that our country is not as rich as these countries.
“We need to prioritize our needs as a nation and be responsible in spending money to address dwindling resources. It is clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his counterpart in the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, are living in an ivory tower and perpetuating an unpleasant government that prioritizes their own interests over those of the people.
“The PRP demands that this wasteful expenditure be reconsidered and that the government should focus on delivering real benefits to the Nigerian people.
“We call on all Nigerians of goodwill to join us in condemning this reckless spending and demanding better governance from our leaders.
“Let us work together to build a Nigeria that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens over the generosity of its leaders.”
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