Peter Obi, the Labour Party‘s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has expressed outrage over the federal government’s plan to purchase new private jets for President Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima. In a scathing social media post, Obi denounced the move as “appallingly insensitive” to the struggles of everyday Nigerians.
“At a time when our country is reeling from economic crisis, with soaring inflation, a plummeting currency, and widespread poverty, the government’s decision to splurge on new presidential jets is nothing short of tone-deaf,” Obi wrote. “It’s a stark reminder of the disconnect between our leaders and the people they serve.”
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Obi pointed out that the current presidential jets are, on average, 12 years old – purchased at a time when most Nigerians could still afford basic necessities. “Now, as our country faces unprecedented challenges, including a crippling debt burden, our citizens are in greater need than ever,” he argued.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Obi noted that the Vice President’s residence is a century-old building valued at a modest $7.5 million. “Instead of indulging in luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating the suffering of our citizens and finding solutions to their problems,” he urged.
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Obi lamented that Nigeria’s leadership has consistently prioritized the wrong things, leading the nation down a dangerous path. “Despite our economy shrinking to the fourth-largest in Africa, with a GDP of just $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, we’re still spending $15 million on our Vice President’s residence,” he said. “Meanwhile, the United States, with a GDP of $25 trillion and a per capita income of $80,000, houses their Vice President in a 100-year-old building worth a fraction of that amount.”
Obi called for an end to the “impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness” and urged leaders to refocus on the needs of the people, prioritizing education, healthcare, and lifting citizens out of poverty.