The Federal Government has debunked rumors that President Bola Tinubu acquired a brand-new official jet, explaining that the government actually purchased a refurbished aircraft.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga made this clarification on Channels Television’s “Inside Sources” on Sunday.
According to Onanuga, the refurbished Airbus A330 was bought to replace the outdated jets in the presidential fleet, which were purchased during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure. These aging aircraft are in poor condition, with exorbitant maintenance costs.
“The president did not buy a new jet; what he has is a refurbished jet – it has been used by somebody else before he got it, but it is a much newer model than the one President Buhari used,” Onanuga stated. He emphasized that the plane belongs to Nigeria, not President Tinubu, citing an instance where the president had to charter a flight to the Netherlands due to mechanical issues with the old plane.
Onanuga urged Nigerians to prioritize the president’s safety, highlighting that the refurbished jet will benefit not only Tinubu but also his successor. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu approved the purchase, citing the high maintenance costs of the old aircraft.
Critics, including 2023 presidential candidates, have slammed Tinubu’s decision, arguing that it shows disregard for the struggles of Nigerians facing unprecedented food inflation and energy price hikes. However, Onanuga stressed, “People should try to prioritize the safety of the president. I’m not sure anybody wishes our president to go and crash in the air.”
