The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi labelled the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan, ‘insensitive’ for appealing to the Federal Government to buy a new jet for the vice president of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima amidst economy woes.
Recall the Speaker had on Sunday appealed to FG in a statement to consider buying a new aircraft Shettima, stating that the V.P’s life is at risk due to the faulty presidential aircraft he used to represent President Bola Tinubu in official engagements across the globe.
The statement reads, “I want to sympathise with the Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice President, his crew and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport in New York, U.S.A.
“I also express my gratitude to Allah (God) for saving the precious life of our dear Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and those on board the ill-fated VP’s plane, even as I urge the Nigerian government to demand a thorough and timely investigation from the United States government over the incident that affected Vice President Kashim Shettima’s plane at one of the most secure spots in the World.
“The life of the Vice President and that of his crew/officials stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft. Therefore, there is an urgent need to acquire a new aircraft for Senator Kashim Shettima so as to avoid these recurrences of air mishaps.”
However Obi disagreed with such appeal, emphasizing that there are more important thing to use government resources on rather than lavishing it on frivolities when the citizens are suffering, hungry and living in penury.
The LP presidential candidate had stated his reasons for objections in a post on the social media outlet, highlighting businesses premature closure as one of them.
“I just read a disturbing comment in the media space attributed to one of the supposed political leaders in the country that the life of the Vice President is in danger because of the faults recorded in his official aircraft.
“The leader went further to urge the Federal Government to purchase a new aircraft for the Vice President. In making such a remark now, the speaker is insensitive and obviously unconcerned about the prevailing economic situation in the country.
“That Nigerians are facing untold hardship at this moment is no secret. Such a provoking call is coming from a person who probably is oblivious of the fact that Nigeria, at present, has continued to manifest every trait of a failed state.
“We are today among one of the eleven worst-governed African nations in the last 10 years. We are also among the 20 hungriest nations in the world, with our people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger and starvation. Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year. Are these not the issues that should be prioritized by committed leaders?
“Our national electricity grid has so far collapsed 8 times this year alone and 105 times in the last ten years, plunging our small businesses into great losses and households into darkness. In the past 15 months, several businesses have closed down or become distressed due to the harsh economic environment in the country. Are these not the issues that should preoccupy us as leaders, rather than being consumed by our selfish desires for needless luxury at the expense of the people we are called to serve?
“What does Nigeria’s Vice President need a new jet for, and what value are all Presidential and Vice Presidential trips adding to our present situation? It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decide to buy a Presidential jet, used by both the President and Vice President. The Vice President travels mostly in the country’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia.
“And since we have recently undeservedly bought one, it should be used on essential, inevitable trips of the President and Vice President. I appeal to the President, Vice President, and our public office holders that our present precarious situation calls only for minimal and highly contributory inevitable travels. It is time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges for the wellbeing of the people and the development of our country.
“Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service. A New Nigeria is POssible if we can get our priorities right.” Obi stressed

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
adeoye.o@thesubstancenews.com
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