The Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence has expressed its support for the House of Representatives’ call to acquire new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shettima.
The committee chairman, Umar Shehu Buba, emphasized the importance of promptly overhauling the presidential air fleet to ensure the safety of President Tinubu and his deputy.
The House Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recommended the immediate procurement of two airplanes for President Tinubu and Vice- President Shettima to acilitatethe transportation of the country’s top officials.
However, this proposal faced criticism from some Nigerians who questioned the necessity of buying new planes during a time of economic hardship.
In response, Mr. Buba defended the committee’s recommendations, stating that they were based on an investigative hearing and interactions with officials of the Presidential Air Fleet.
While acknowledging the economic challenges facing the country, he stressed that the lives of the president, vice president, and other government officials should not be endangered.
Referring to recent air mishaps in Iran and Malawi that claimed the lives of their respective presidents and vice presidents, Mr. Buba emphasized the importance of taking necessary measures to prevent such disasters in Nigeria. He stated that the safety of leaders and citizens is paramount and that no sacrifice is too great to protect them.
When questioned about the focus on acquiring new aircraft for leaders rather than advocating for a decent minimum wage, Mr. Buba clarified that he was not a spokesperson for the House Committee.
He explained that the committee’s mandate is national security and intelligence, and their recommendations are specifically related to those concerns. He also acknowledged that the issue of minimum wage is already being addressed by the government and organized labor.
