Peter Obi, Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election has come under strong criticism by the Presidency following his reaction to the proposed purchase of a new Aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima.
Obi had faulted the proposal made by the House of Representatives, describing it as a waste of resources. He stressed that Nigerians are suffering and the money should be channeled into the development of the nation’s economy.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had recommended that the Federal Government should purchase a new aircraft putting into consideration the status of the aircraft in the Presidential Fleet.
Reacting to Obi’s statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu carpeted Obi. He said that the purchase of another aircraft is a necessity.
Onanuga said the proposed Presidential aircraft is a “basic thing any sane Government will do” because it cannot toy with the President’s life.
He said: “Does Peter Obi want the President dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us.
“The plane he used now, I learnt, was bought during (former President) Obasanjo’s era. That was over 20 years ago and I learnt it was a very small plane.
“ The plane developed a problem the last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia. The President had to go from there to the UK on a commercial airline. Even those managing them said the aircraft needed to be replaced,” he said.
