The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party, on Monday, berated the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for purchasing a new presidential jet worth $100m without the approval of the National Assembly. The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, and Deputy Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the action of the government as insensitive, while Nigerians are generally facing hard times and struggling to feed. Similarly, the campaign spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Yunusa Tanko, said it was worrisome that the President would prioritised his convenience over the well-being of the generality of Nigerians amid the economic hardship in the country.
On Monday, President Tinubu embarked on a working visit to France aboard a newly acquired Airbus A330 business jet. The aircraft is now registered to the Nigerian Air Force. This model, typically used as a twin-aisle passenger aircraft, was purchased last month at a cost of $100m.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, shared images of the presidential jet on his verified X handle, providing the public with a glimpse of the new addition to the presidential fleet. The images quickly gained attention, showcasing the jet’s modern features. According to Onanuga, this new jet replaces the older Boeing B737-700(BBJ), which had been in service for 19 years since its purchase during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
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