A new controversy has emerged regarding the acquisition of a new presidential jet for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Nigerian lawmakers denying any involvement or approval of the purchase.
Reports surfaced in late June about the Nigerian government’s acquisition of an Airbus A330 from a German bank, which had seized the aircraft from an Arabian prince who defaulted on debt. The Presidency did not initially provide an official statement, leading to public speculation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed the issue in a recent session, confirming that the National Assembly had not yet received any formal request regarding the jet’s purchase. He assured that the Senate would consider matters beneficial to the Nigerian people, referencing the potential risks of outdated aircraft.
The controversy intensified when a Chinese firm, under a French court’s order, seized three Nigerian aircraft, including an Airbus A330. This plane was released to allow President Tinubu to attend a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, sparking speculation that it might be the same aircraft recently purchased.
A presidential spokesperson confirmed the purchase, suggesting it might have been procured under the Service Wide Vote, which may not require National Assembly approval. However, lawmakers, including members of both the Senate and House of Representatives, have stated that they were not involved in the decision-making process and that no official request was made for their consideration.
The lack of transparency and communication surrounding the deal has raised questions about the procurement process and the oversight of such significant expenditures. The National Assembly and the public are awaiting further details on how the multi-million-dollar deal was finalized without legislative input.