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Suspended Senator Ningi May Be Pardoned By His Colleagues As Plenary Resumes Tuesday

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Senator Ningi

By Akinwale Kasali

Suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, the representing of  Bauchi North Senatorial District may soon get a reprieve from his colleagues in the Senate.

Ningi was handed a three- month suspension by the Senate for alleging that the Upper Chamber “padded“ the 2024 Budget to the tune of N3.7 trillion.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, gave the hint of a possible pardon of the embattled Senator at a media parley in Abuja, on Monday.

The padded amount alleged by Ningi to the 2024 Budget represents more than 10 per cent of the N28.78 trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

Adaramodu also used the opportunity to state that the suspension of Senator Ningi was a decision taken by 108 out of the 109 Senators whose integrity was subjected to public ridicule.

Adaramodu said, “ Yes, there was an infraction occasioned by the actions of our respected colleague, Senator Abdul Ningi, which made the Senate in an open public session, where he was given the opportunity to defend himself and for Senators to talk on it, debated on it, then at the end of the day it was found that an infraction had really occurred.

“And 109 senators except Senator Ningi now decided that Senator Ningi would be given a light disciplinary declaration which gave him a three month suspension from parliamentary activities.

“So, it is only that 108 senators that took that action that can call Senator Ningi back.

“Yes, like I said, we have been on plenary break for about four weeks. So, when we resume tomorrow, as the case may be, he’s our colleague, if he makes a plea, then the senators will now look at it and then we take it on the merit of it.

“When we were not in the chamber, there have been so many insinuations, they have been a report that a letter has been written by the counsel to Senator Ningi compelling the Senate President to recall Senator Ningi within seven days.

“ And then when I was asked a question I said, it’s not a matter of Senator Ningi versus Senator Akpabio. It’s Senator Ningi versus the rest of the senators. So, it is not Senator Akpabio, though our president, that took the action unilaterally and solely to suspend Senator Ningi.

“So it could not behoove on him to be the one who will now answer questions on the actions of all the senators, that all the senators will ask questions on their own behalf by the time we resume the plenary.

“We will resume plenary tomorrow,

so if the matter comes up, either directly or indirectly, either voluntarily or involuntarily, then we sit down together in the chamber and then we look at it on its own merit and consider an action to be taken. That’s what is happening about Senator Ningi’s matter for now.”

High Profile Defections: PDP Is An Iroko Tree Grows Taller After Shedding Old Dried Leaves – Party Spokesman

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the rank of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, witnessing a continuous depletion, particularly in the South- east Region as a result of a gale of defections by a number of its high profile members, the Abia State Chapter of the Party has said it remains unfazed by the development.

This is even as it has likened the situation to an iroko that will grow taller after shedding its old leaves .

The Source reports that the fortunes of the main opposition party in the country, since early last week, suffered a huge reversal in Imo state following the exit of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

His resignation from the party, after 26 years of association has since triggered an exodus of PDP followers in most parts of Imo state.

In March, the Abia Chapter of the Party lost some of its stalwarts ,including some erstwhile top government functionaries, in the immediate past Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration .

While Chief Ihedioha and his followers who left the PDP have continued to keep political watchers guessing on their next destination, their Abia colleagues on defection, found sanctuary in the ruling All Progressive Congress APC..

But in a statement issued on Monday April,29,2024 and made available to The Source, the Abia PDP Spokesperson, Abraham Amah, said in the tapestry of political dynamics,the party still stands tall as the proverbial Iroko tree -an emblem of strength, resilience,and enduring growth.

“Just as the Iroko sheds its leaves to make,way for new ,freshly green foliage ,the recent departure of some prominent figures from the party signals a vital phase of transformation and rebirth.

“The departure of these esteemed individuals, akin to the shedding of dry leaves ,is an essential process in the rejuvenation of our Party.

“This symbolic act paves the way for the emergence of a new era within the Abia PDP – one characterized by vitality, dynamism ,and a fresh perspective .It is a  necessary step towards creating a reinvigorated political landscape that is free from the inertia of the past and embraces the promise of a brighter future.

“As we bid farewell to these stalwarts ,we do so with gratitude for their contributions and with a profound sense of optimism for what lies ahead .

“Their exit signifies not an end, but a new beginning-a chapter in which dormant energies are awakened and sleeping stakeholders are revitalized .It is time for introspection, renewal,and a collective commitment to building a stronger ,more inclusive party that truly represents the aspirations of the people” part of the PDP statement reads.

Breaking: Finidi George Appointed New Super Eagles Coach, NFF Dashes Amuneke’s Hope

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Finidi George - Super Eagle Coach

By Akinwale Kasali

After several weeks of speculations, the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, finally named former Super Eagles Winger, Finidi George, as the new Coach of the Super Eagles.

Many had thought that the NFF leadership would appoint another former Super Eagles Winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, as the Coach of the National side, but it dashed the hope of the former Barcelona Football Club player.

The NFF Board, in a statement, approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward.

George had guided the Super Eagles to its International Friendly matches against the Black Stars of Ghana and the Eagles of Mali in March during which it lost to Mali 2-0 and defeated Ghana 2-1.

He was in the saddle as the Interim Coach, after he spent 20 months as an assistant to  José Santos Peseiro, the Portuguese tactician’s departed following the Super Eagles’ impressive run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The NFF statement reads: “George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals”.

The statement also reflected on the illustrious playing career of George, highlighting his achievements, which include “gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.”

One of George’s most memorable moments came when he “assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994,” the statement noted.

He will guide the Super Eagles in its forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against the Bafana Bafana South Africa and the Squirrels of Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, within the next five weeks.

“Now That Your Mission Has Failed, Return The N250m  Kano Govt Gave You  To Protest Against Ganduje” – APC North Central Urges Expelled Members

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Protesters-Ganduje

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In what appears to be a curious and interesting twist to the protest march staged late last week by some “acclaimed elements” from the All Progressive Congress, APC  North Central zone, demanding for the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the party ,  the APC  North Central Stakeholders on Monday April 29, 2024 thanked President Bola  Tinubu for not being taken in by the “shameless” antics of those they described as “political merchants.”

This is just as they have advised the “self acclaimed North Cental hirelings to be honourable for once and return to the kano state Government the N250 million mobilisation fee  collected for the ill fated adventure.”

In a statement  jointly issued  by Comrade Aodona Patrick and Malam Shehu  Ibrahim, President and Secretary General respectively ,the Concerned APC North Central Stakeholders ,warned against the impersonation of the group by any unscrupulous individuals and or entities for the purposes of political mischiefs and blackmails .

To underscore the high level of embarrassment caused by the anti Ganduje protesters to the the group, the stakeholders said they have  filed a petition against those that marched on the APC National Secretariat under its canopy.

The Source reports that late last week a purported APC North Central Stakeholders led by  Mohammed Mahmud Saba had stormed the Abuja National Headquarters of the party, calling on Dr Ganduje to vacate his position as the National Chairman, while insisting that by virtue of the outcome of the party’s 2022 National Convention, the position was ceded to the North Central geo-political zone

“We wish to categorically, make it clear that those protesters calling for the resignation of Dr Ganduje as the National Chairman are not our members .

“They are disgraced members who were expelled over criminal activities .We are not surprised that they have taken this satanic craft to the next level .

“These days ,they blackmail reputable Nigerians for money and were recently contracted by the Kano state Government to rubbish Ganduje .

“However, their mission failed on arrival. Nigerians are fully aware of their sponsors .But the surprise for many is that as much as #250 million was earmarked for the futile project..

“Our findings revealed that the protesters were shortchanged by some desperate forces at the kano Government House who took advantage of their vulnerability

“When this was brought to our attention ,we asked them to return the funds  Unfortunately, out of greed they used part of the money” the APC NorthCentral Group noted.

Father, Son Abducted Along Ondo/Edo Highway

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Father and Son Kidnapped Along Ondo

By Ayodele Oni

After a few weeks of inactivity,  gunmen suspected to be kidnappers struck again in Ondo State on Monday. Two persons were their victims.

They are a father and son  abducted along Ondo/Edo states highway.

The son, a student of the Navy School, Imeri, Ondo State was being returned to school by his father at the end of the second term break.

A social media influencer and youth advocate, Oluyemi Fasipe, disclosed this on his official X handle.

He wrote; ” Jethro Onose, an SS1 student of Navy School Imeri, and his father, Mr. Maliki Onose, have been kidnapped along the Edo/Ondo state route. Details are still sketchy, but the victims called to give a hint of their predicament.

There has been no reaction from the state police command or the Amotekun security corps.

Of recent, Amotekun Corps has been parading suspected kidnappers, terrorizing travellers along the Ondo/Edo states highways.

Governor Obaseki Increases Minimum Wage To N70,000

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Godwin Obaseki

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Godwin Obaseki has put smiles on the faces of Edo State Government Workers. He has approved the increment of the minimum wage to N70,000.

The new wage comes into effect from Wednesday May 1, 2024.

Governor Obaseki made the announcement of the approval while commissioning the new Labour House in Benin, Edo State Capital on Monday.

The increment of the Workers Wage is coming at a time when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has been on a round table discussion with the Federal Government calling for the increment of the wage to match the increasing national inflation and skyrocketing food inflation.

NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, are demanding for the sum of N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

The inflation rate for March 2024 hit 33.2 per cent from 31.70 per cent in February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Food inflation also rose to 31.7 per cent in March from 30 per cent in February.

Political observers are of the opinion that Governor Obaseki approved the new minimum wage because of the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election, so as for the electorates to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Kano Probe Panel Begins Investigation of Ganduje, As Commission  Promises Not To Witch Hunt

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Kano State Panel of Inquiry

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

At its inaugural sitting   Monday April 29,2024, the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry instituted by the  Governor of Kano State to carry out an inquest into the activities of the immediate past administration in the State,  Justice Faruk Lawan Adamu has assured that all parties will be given a fair hearing.

This is even as he has stated that the Commission was not established to witch-hunt anybody .

In his inaugural speech, Justice Adamu said that  the Panel is on a fact-finding mission ,adding that it will at the end of its work only  make  submissions and recommendations to the Government of Kano state .

Justice Adamu, however, warned that the Panel will not succumb to any primordial sentiments, noting that in the discharge of its assignment, the Commission will strictly be  guided by  diligence and fairness.

“I wish to emphasise that the Commission will remain committed to the principles of fairness, and honesty and will not be swayed by primordial interests of any kind.

“The Commission was not established to witch-hunt or prosecute anybody . Rather, it is on a fact-finding mission and at the end of our findings we will submit a set of recommendations to the State Government for possible implementation.

“I wish to assure all and sundry that the Commission will be just and give fair hearing to all the parties involved ,be it individuals ,Companies Agencies, or Entities .

In addition, I would like to call on any person that has any useful information or input that will assist the Commission in its assignment to send it in writing for verification after which he or she may be asked to appear before the Commission to testify in person . Note again the Commission is here to serve the interest of the public..

Finally I will like to appeal to the general public and the media in particular to give the Commission the utmost support and cooperation possible and also to avoid the temptation of politicizing the work of the Commission for doing so would be detrimental to the success of the fact finding mission of the Commission.” Justice Adamu stated

According to the Chairman, the terms  of reference of the Commission which was established on April 4 by Governor Yusuf include to review the sales, disposal or allocation of all Government owned properties including schools, hospitals religious buildings, burial grounds, historical and cultural sites ,and other open spaces.

“To determine the individuals ,companies, agencies or entities to which such sales and or allocations were made.

The Commission is to, also, determine if any abuses were perpetrated in the process of such sales, disposal and/or allocation ,as well as identify the officials or persons responsible for such abuses .

“The panel, based on its findings is to make recommendations to the Government  on how to  recover such properties.

The Source reports that Governor Yusuf had on April 4 set up two panels of inquiries to examine alleged cases of misappropriation of Government properties ,and incidences of politically motivated killings in the kano between May 29 2015 and May 29 2023 ,a period that cover the two term tenure of his immediate predecessor in office and currently the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress APC ,Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje .

The limitations of the Commission’s assignment to only the era of Ganduje ,by the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP led Kano state Government, has however been drawing flakes and condemnation,with not s few describing such an exercise as a classical case of political persecution and witch hunting..

Much as the Commission,’s Chairman has assured of fairness and justice ,in the discharge their tasks such assurances are however invalidated by the exclusion of the era of Governor Yusuf’s Political godfather Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Coastal Highway To Link Six Geopolitical Zones – Umahi

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By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, an Engineer, has revealed that the Lagos/Calabar Coastal Highway will be modified in such a way that it will connect the entire six geo-political zones of the country.

To this end, the Minister disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given him a directive to begin the immediate design of the 1000 kilometres Sokoto- Badagry Coastal Highway.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), Umahi spoke on Sunday, after he inspected the end of Section one, Phase One, of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and its realignment in Lagos.

“I’m happy that Mr President has also directed me to start the immediate design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway.

“This one is a spur of the Coastal highway, and that one is 1000 kilometres.

“We’ve started the design and I’m very sure that as soon as Federal Executive Council approves it , we will be starting at Sokoto side, which is the zero point.

“We also have another spur which is going to go from Enugu -Abakaliki-Ogoja going to Cameroon.

“So we have that spur and it’s about 361 kilometres, going through Otukpo to Benue to Nasarawa and ends up at Apo in Abuja.

“We are also going to be presenting it to Mr President, and when this is done, then the coastal routes like we promised will go to circle the entire country.”

The Minister explained  that upon completion, the coastal road would connect the South-West, South-South, North-East, North-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria.

Umahi expressed strong belief in the significance of the coastal road project, which he said would be a first in Africa.

“So, this will be the legacy that we’ve never seen in Africa, and I think that God has sent Mr President to do this and he’s just doing it.

“He’s a man of courage and we are also learning courage following him.”

Zenith Bank Shareholders Approve Holdco Structure; Lender Poised For Growth

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Zenith Bank Holdco

Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc unanimously approved the restructuring of the Bank to a holding company during a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually from Zenith Heights, Zenith Bank Plc, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

In accordance with the Scheme of Arrangement dated March 28 2024, pursuant to Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020 between the Bank and the holders of the fully paid ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in the Bank, the shareholders voted to transfer 31,396,493,787 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each held in the issued and paid-up share capital of Zenith Bank Plc to Zenith Bank Holding Company Plc (the HoldCo) in exchange for the allotment of 31,396,493,787 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in the share capital of the HoldCo in the same proportion to their shareholding in the Bank. Similarly, the shareholders approved that each Existing GDR Holder receive, as consideration for each existing GDR held, one new HoldCo GDR.

The shareholders also approved that all of the shares held by the nominees of the Bank in Zenpay Limited, a direct subsidiary of the HoldCo, together with all rights and liabilities attached to such shares, be transferred to the HoldCo. The Board of Directors were also authorised to delist the shares of the Bank and the Existing GDRs from the official list of the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange respectively as well as re-register the Bank as a private limited company under CAMA Act 2020.

In his remarks during the EGM, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, thanked the shareholders for their unwavering commitment, which has been instrumental in the Bank’s outstanding performance over the years. He expressed his delight at witnessing the transition of the Bank to a holding company, which is anticipated to position it advantageously for exploring emerging opportunities in the Fintech space while bolstering its digital and retail banking initiatives.

Also speaking during the EGM, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, lauded the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his pivotal role in creating an institution that has consistently been a trailblazer in the nation’s financial services industry. Dr. Onyeagwu expressed his optimism about the Bank’s growth trajectory in the coming years as it transitions into a holding company structure.

According to him, “The HoldCo structure presents an opportunity for us to unlock value for shareholders in terms of opportunity in other sectors beyond banking. The first part is Fintech, where we have already received the approval and the license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which we are launching soon. It is going to be focusing on an area that we know has not been touched on by anyone. So it is more like us finding an open wide space where we can begin to operate, and with a HoldCo, what that means is that we have an opportunity to diversify our investment. We can begin to look at other business verticals that were restrained by the kind of authorisation we have. So, it presents a big opportunity for us to have a wider lens and scope in terms of what we can do. It will also position us to think of opportunities beyond Africa. We will be looking at key business verticals that have the potential to enable us to create value for shareholders.”

On the recapitalisation plan of the Bank, Dr. Onyeagwu stated that the Bank is on course to receive the needed shareholder’s approval in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for May 8, 2024, which will kickstart its capital raising effort in line with the CBN directive. He expressed confidence in the Bank’s ability to raise the stipulated capital, stating that amongst its peers in the industry, Zenith was expected to raise the least amount due to its already robust capital base.

Presidential Jets Break Down During Tinubu’s Trips To Netherlands, Saudi Arabia

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was forced to fly a commercial jet during his recent trips to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, The Gazette reports.

The magazine reports that President Tinubu left the country last week on business trips to the two countries to further foster economic ties.

It was also reported that the president secured a $600 million maritime investment from Danish shipping and logistics firm A.P Moller-Maersk,

The presidency said on Sunday that the deal is to help in expanding port infrastructure to accommodate more container shipping services in Nigerian ports.

The online newspaper however reports that President Bola was ferried to an economic summit in Saudi Arabia by a commercial aviation operator this weekend after his main luxury jet was taken into rehabilitation and a second aircraft, he was travelling with developed a technical snag in the Netherlands, Peoples Gazette learnt from officials familiar.

The Nigerian leader arrived in The Hague on April 23 for a series of economic and diplomatic engagements at the instance of Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He learnt shortly before he was scheduled to depart the Netherlands on Friday that his plane had suffered unspecified problems, officials said under anonymity to discuss sensitive details of the president’s itinerary. Another official said some of the technical complications included an oxygen leak.

President Bola Tinubu with Hans Akerboom, deputy protocol chief of the Netherlands, during departure on a chartered jet from Rotterdam. April 26, 2024.President Bola Tinubu with Hans Akerboom, deputy protocol chief of the Netherlands, during departure on a chartered jet from Rotterdam. April 26, 2024.

This forced the president and his delegation to leave behind the Nigerian government aircraft and use a charter jet company to facilitate their onward journey to Saudi Arabia for a special session of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, arriving on Friday night.

The Gazette was told Mr Tinubu and some of his personal aides left Rotterdam on a Falcon 8X 9H-GRC private jet for the summit, which is scheduled for April 28-29. The rest, including several ministers and other high-ranking administration officials, made the trip on separate support aircraft and commercial airlines.

President Tinubu arrives in RiyadhPresident Tinubu arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on a chartered commercial flight. April 26, 2024.

The knotty aircraft, a Gulfstream G550 class, was originally dedicated to Vice-President Kashim Shettima. However, the president used it on his foreign trip because his own dedicated carrier, the Boeing 737 business jet class operated by the Nigerian Air Force 001, has been under maintenance for several weeks.

On March 25, the plane was taken to a maintenance facility at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, a commercial administrative region jointly controlled by France, Germany, and Switzerland. As of Saturday night, it had not been returned to Nigeria.

The Gulfstream jet was later fixed and sent to Saudi Arabia, where it is now waiting to return the president to Nigeria after his official trip on April 29, The Gazette heard.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima arrives in Iperu-Remo. April 27, 2024.Vice-President Kashim Shettima arrives in Iperu-Remo. April 27, 2024.

The vice-president was also forced to piggyback on chartered planes for his official trips. He was in Iperu-Remo on Saturday in a private plane hired from a Lagos-based consortium.

A spokesman for the president did not immediately return a request for comments about the crisis. The Nigerian Air Force also declined to comment.

This latest incident is far from the first for the presidential air fleet. According to maintenance records reviewed by The Gazette, the Boeing 737 has been taken for extensive repairs at least seven times over the past three years.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered the plane, and Nigeria took delivery on April 14, 2005. The former Nigerian leader started using the luxury aircraft, first manufactured in 1998 and with a capacity of about 30 passengers, for his air travels on June 29, 2005. The plane has now served all Nigerian presidents in the uninterrupted Fourth Republic, advancing its reputation as one of the most iconic features of the Nigerian presidency.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari sent the aircraft for repair between late September and early October 2021. Barely two months later, the plane suffered another major fault, forcing the government to again return it for rehabilitation for nearly three months.

Records showed the plane was repaired again in early April and early May 2023 as part of efforts to get it in top shape before Mr Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023.

The Gazette learnt that over $8 million has been spent fixing the plane for different vulnerabilities since December 2022 alone. This is a significant amount for a country of 230 million with an unenviable reputation as the world’s poverty capital.

Aviation monitors have publicly decried the huge maintenance expenditure as wasteful, prescribing instead that a new plane would serve the country better, renew confidence in air travel safety for future presidents and stave off unnecessary costs that could be diverted to other crucial areas of economic development.

Whereas Mr Tinubu has managed to carry out his official duties despite a pattern of last-minute troubles with presidential planes, administration officials are nonetheless concerned that the frequent glitches, besides being immensely embarrassing for the country, could potentially inflict a catastrophe of historic proportions.

“Many of us in this administration are more concerned about the clear danger that the planes are signalling than any ridicule from their frequent breakdowns,” an official said. “We are being told that the planes are old and there should be serious consideration towards their replacement.”

Nigeria has had a near-perfect record in air travel among its leaders since the first prime minister, Tafawa Balewa, flew private with his entourage in the early 1960s, including on a trip to the United States on President John F. Kennedy’s invitation in 1961.

However, concerns among officials have simmered since February 2019, when former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo survived a crash while travelling on a chartered helicopter for a scheduled campaign event.

Although the report of a formal investigation into the crash was never made public, initial questions were raised about the helicopter’s operators’ poor maintenance culture.

Not a few Nigerians have lamented the number of aircraft in the presidential fleet which cost the country billions of naira to maintain annually.

Other Nigerians have also clamoured for some of the aircrafts to be sold, and proceeds from them to be used for critical infrastructure in the country.

The latest incident has therefore thrown up new posers on the viability of keeping many aircrafts in the presidency, aviation experts say.