The Nigerian Senate has denied proposing the procurement of new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio while addressing journalists in Maiduguri, described the claims as false.
“I want to dispel the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he will buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever.
“I never said that. I was actually in Zanzibar, Tanzania, It is the handiwork of propagandists and fifth columnists, who never see anything good in what we are doing. Be rest assured, pray for the government, have patience, and be assured that the combination of Tinubu and Shettima will bring wealth and prosperity to all,” he said.
Akpabio said the claim was from propagandists and fifth columnists, stressing that the Senate was focused on delivering legislation that would support the actualisation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed satisfaction with the present security situation of Borno State, urging Nigerians to continue to pray for the present administration.
“I am happy to see that peace has returned to Borno, as a result of the handwork of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to tell the good people of Borno to continue to support the administration.”
The alleged report follows a recommendation from the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to purchase new aircraft for the President and Vice-President, citing the current presidential jets as faulty and unsafe for use.
Last week, President Tinubu travelled to South Africa for the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa in a private jet.
In response to criticism from Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, who labeled the plan as misplaced and insensitive, the Presidency defended the need for new presidential aircraft.
However, the Presidency swiftly rebutted Obi’s remarks, characterizing them as insensitive. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga questioned whether Obi preferred risking the President’s safety by continuing to use unreliable aircraft.