Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, criticized the call for a new aircraft for Vice President Kashim Shettima following a recent incident in the United States.
This call was made by Abdulkareem Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who claimed that Shettima’s safety was at risk due to issues with the presidential aircraft he uses for official international duties on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
“The leader went further to urge the Federal Government to purchase a new aircraft for the Vice President. In making such a remark now, the speaker is insensitive and obviously unconcerned about the prevailing economic situation in the country,” Obi said.
He stated that the severe hardship Nigerians are currently facing is well-known, indicating that such a provocative remark likely comes from someone unaware that Nigeria is now displaying all the signs of a failing state.
He further highlighted that Nigeria ranks among the 11 worst-governed African nations over the past decade and is also one of the 20 most hunger-stricken countries globally, with Nigerians enduring worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger, and starvation.
“Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year. Are these not the issues that should be prioritized by committed leaders?
“Our national electricity grid has so far collapsed 8 times this year alone and 105 times in the last ten years, plunging our small businesses into great losses and households into darkness.
“In the past 15 months, several businesses have closed down or become distressed due to the harsh economic environment in the country,” Obi said.
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He wondered if these are not the issues that should preoccupy the leaders, rather than being consumed by their “selfish desires for needless luxury at the expense of the people they are called to serve?”
He said, “What does Nigeria’s Vice President need a new jet for, and what value are all Presidential and Vice Presidential trips adding to our present situation? It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decide to buy a Presidential jet, used by both the President and Vice President. The Vice President travels mostly in the country’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia. And since we have recently undeservedly bought one, it should be used on essential, inevitable trips of the President and Vice President.”
He urged President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and other public office holders to limit their travels to only those that are essential and highly beneficial, emphasizing that Nigeria’s current fragile situation demands caution and prudence in their movements.
“It is time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges for the wellbeing of the people and the development of our country. Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service,” Obi said.
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