Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Senate Denies Approving new Presidential jets for Tinubu, Shettima

POSTED ON June 26, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio/ Photo credit: Premiumtimes

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has debunked the claim that the Senate has approved the purchase of new presidential jets for the use of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

He described the report as malicious, adding that the National Assembly would approve the purchase of new aircraft for the President and Vice President irrespective of the harsh economic situation in the country.

The alleged report came in the wake of the recommendation by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to buy new aircraft for the President and the Vice-President as the existing presidential jets are faulty and unsafe for use.

Recall that last week,  President Tinubu flew to South Africa for the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa in a private jet.

The Presidency justified the need to buy new presidential aircraft while reacting to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who described the plan as misplaced and insensitive.

But the Presidency, in a swift reaction, described Obi’s comment as insensitive, wondering if he would rather have the life of the President jeopardised by flying faulty aircraft.

“Does he (Obi) want him (Tinubu) to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iranian President? Let him tell us. This is a basic thing any sane government will do. You can’t toy with your President’s welfare,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said.

However, Akpabio, in a statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, denied that the National Assembly had approved the purchase of new aircraft for the President.

Akpabio in a statement said, “I want to dispel the rumour you are hearing that the Senate President said he would 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.

“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 expressed satisfaction with the security situation in Borno State and urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the Tinubu administration.

READ ALSO
Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...

READ ALSO
Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...

READ ALSO
House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...

READ ALSO
NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...

READ ALSO
DSS vs. Pat Utomi: Legal Battle Over Shadow Government Tests Nigeria’s Democratic Boundaries
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a lawsuit against Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned eco...

READ ALSO
Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

ABUJA – As the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to shut down Prof. Pat Utomi’s s...

READ ALSO
Nasarawa Assembly Enacts Mining Bill to Ensure Compliance and Community Welfare
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

NASARAWA, Nigeria - The Nasarawa House of Assembly On Tuesday approved a mining bill aimed at regula...

READ ALSO
CDS Urges Vigilance and Unity among Troops in Fight Against Insurgency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 13, 2025 0

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, praised the troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA...

OUR CHANNELS:

US Economic Growth to Decelerate Amid Trade Tensions, Policy Uncertainties
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has indicated that the global...


Trade Tensions Rise as South Korea and U.S. Prepare for Key Discussions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

AFP - South Korea is prepared to restart tariff discussions with Washington during an important APEC...


Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...


ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Release Businessman Imprisoned Since 2009
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States Court on Thursday has mandated the Nigerian Federal Go...


Sanwo-Olu Establishes Apapa Central Business Office to Enhance Infrastructure, Business Climate
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sanctioned the creation of the Apapa Central Business...


NBS Reports April 2025 Inflation Rate Falls to 23.71%, Highlighting Food Safety Risks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

The inflation rate for April 2025 dropped to 23.71 percent, down from 24.23 percent in March 2025, m...


Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...


Actress Jumoke George Shares Emotional Journey as Daughter Adeola is Found
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Adeola, the 41-year-old daughter of renowned Yoruba actress Jumoke George, has been located in Mali...


House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...


NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 17, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu