In a thought-provoking stance, Dele Momodu, the former presidential hopeful, has thrown his support behind Mr. Peter Obi, emphasizing the need to reconsider the Federal Government’s plan to procure two state-of-the-art jets for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Mr. Obi, in a media statement released on Monday, expressed his unequivocal disapproval of the proposed acquisition, denouncing it as an act of insensitivity towards the plight of the Nigerian people amidst the country’s worst economic crisis.
He questioned the appropriateness of contemplating such an extravagant purchase when citizens are grappling with hardships.
Highlighting the age of the existing presidential jets, which average 12 years, Mr. Obi drew attention to the fact that they were acquired at a time when most Nigerians could afford basic necessities.
With the pressing challenges facing the nation, including a burdensome debt profile, he argued that the focus should be on alleviating the suffering of the people and finding practical solutions to their problems.
He lamented the misalignment between the priorities of leadership and the needs of society, expressing concern for the direction the nation is heading.
However, in response to Mr. Obi’s remarks, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, resorted to rhetorical questioning, suggesting that the former governor preferred the president to risk flying in outdated and unreliable aircraft.
Meanwhile, Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, joined the conversation, asserting that there is nothing inherently wrong with Peter Obi’s position. In these challenging times, he argued, there is no compelling reason for a country to possess presidential jets.
Momodu pointed out that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had owned private jets even before assuming the presidency, and he urged him to demonstrate the spirit of sacrifice by downsizing and returning to his pre-presidential fleet.
He suggested that domestic airlines, such as Air Peace, could be utilized for long-haul flights, thereby supporting their business while cutting down on unnecessary expenses.
