Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, has expressed his disappointment over the seizure of aircraft belonging to Nigerian government, calling it international disgrace.
Mr. Obi in his argument said the ugly incident is just one of many that highlight the country’s poor leadership and disregard for the rule of law.
The jets were reportedly seized due to the Ogun State Government’s failure to pay a $74.5 million award to Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company.
This award was granted by an independent arbitral tribunal chaired by a former President of the UK Supreme Court.
In a press statement released on Thursday, Obi, who previously served as governor of Anambra State, criticized the Tinubu administration for proceeding with the purchase of the jets despite widespread economic challenges and public outcry.
“The international headlines regarding the seizure of three jets from Nigeria’s Presidential fleet are another glaring example of our leadership failures and our disregard for the rule of law, even within a democracy,” Obi said. “This situation further underscores the insensitivity of our leaders to the plight of the increasingly impoverished population.”
Obi also condemned the secrecy surrounding the purchase and management of these jets. He emphasized that government assets, which belong to the people, are being treated like private property. “Spending as much as $100 million on a Presidential jet for a country struggling with extreme poverty, a high number of out-of-school children, and soaring food inflation shows a blatant disregard for the people’s suffering,” he added.
He further pointed out the lack of transparency in the government’s actions, questioning whether the Ogun State government had adhered to its agreement with the Chinese firm and what steps were taken following the UK court’s ruling that prohibited the movement or sale of certain Nigerian assets in Liverpool.
Obi concluded by challenging the federal government to provide a full account of how this situation arose and to be transparent with the Nigerian people.
