Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the Senate would approve the purchase of a new presidential jet if President Bola Tinubu requested it. Akpabio made this statement during a plenary session on Thursday, clarifying that no such request is currently before the Senate.
Akpabio said, “We care about the President and we care about the Nigerian people. We will approve things that will benefit the Nigerian people.
“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.”
Akpabio also addressed accusations of anticipated blackmail, stating that some individuals might be trying to influence future decisions about the presidential fleet.
“Somebody called me from BBC; that what I said in Senator Mongunu’s house was false and should be disregarded. That I was now saying that I will not approve. That is what you can call anticipated blackmail,” he explained.
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He emphasized the Senate’s responsibility to ensure the safety and efficiency of the presidential fleet, citing incidents where faulty aircraft have led to the deaths of high-ranking officials in other countries.
“When you hear stories such as the death of the vice president of Malawi as a result of a defective plane, and then 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,” he stated.
Akpabio reassured that the Senate is committed to addressing any necessary issues that arise.
“The Senate is very responsible. The National Assembly is very responsible. We will look into issues that will benefit the governance of the country,” he said.
Despite concerns about potential propaganda, Akpabio confirmed that the Senate would handle any future requests regarding the presidential fleet with due diligence.