Akpabio Explains Senate’s Stance on Approving Presidential Jet Purchase for Tinubu and Shettima
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the Senate would approve funds for a new presidential jet if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submits such a request. During Thursday’s plenary session, Akpabio clarified that no formal request has been received from the President for the Senate’s approval of a new jet.
Following a closed-door meeting with senators, Akpabio stated, “We will approve things that would improve the living standard of the people. At the same time, we will also take cognizance of the duties of the president. If his vehicle is bad, we will repair the vehicle. If his plane is bad, we will approve money for the repair of the plane. So that is not an issue. There is nothing before us. I don’t think you should worry about it.”
He further emphasized, “I read the president’s correspondence to us. Nothing was touching on a plane or no plane, but I can tell you that when you hear stories such as the death of the vice president of Malawi as a result of a defective plane, and then you hear the death of the president of Iran as a result of defective aircraft, we shouldn’t ever sit and allow such to be at the ocean. The Senate is very responsible. The National Assembly is very responsible. We will look into issues that will benefit the governance of the country.”
Addressing potential future needs, Akpabio noted, “Irrespective of anticipatory blackmail, because those people know very well that something like that might come in the future. And if it’s a necessity, the Senate will look into it. But there is nothing like that before us now. There is nothing before us. But the purveyors of the story know that there is a problem with the presidential fleet.”
The senators had interrupted their recess, originally scheduled to end on July 2, 2024, to hold an emergency session. The session aimed to consider a bill amending the 2023 supplementary appropriation act, extending its implementation to December 31, 2024, as requested by President Tinubu.
