- Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the acquisition of a new presidential jet, an Airbus A330, for Tinubu
- The announcement of the new presidential jet sparked widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians expressing their anger
- TheRadar compiled reactions from the public on the new presidential jet below
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has announced the acquisition of a new presidential jet, Airbus A330 for President Bola Tinubu as a replacement for the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) purchased during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration.
This was disclosed on Monday, August 19 via his X handle (formerly Twitter). Onanuga, however, did not share the cost incurred by the Nigerian government in purchasing the new presidential jet.
New presidential jet replaces 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ)
“President Tinubu departed Abuja Monday for Paris, France, using the new Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of President Olusegun Obasanjo,” Onanuga stated.
According to the presidential aide, the new presidential jet has significantly reduced Nigeria's maintenance and fuel expenses, saving the country millions of dollars each year.
“The new plane bought far below the market price saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
“The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia, Onanuga stated.
Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommend new jet
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.
“The new plane is spacious and is furnished with state-of-the-art avionics, customized interior and communications system,” Onanuga stated.
News of the new presidential jet has sparked public outrage, with Nigerians expressing their anger.
The Labour Party presidential candidate, and former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi said, “Now that the Presidential Jet has arrived. From all indications, despite all the denials, and back and forth over the newly acquired Presidential aircraft, the jet is now here thanks to the French court that helped Nigerians to get the information.”
Nigerians react to the new presidential jet purchase
TheRadar compiled reactions from the public on the new presidential jet below:
“It's really unfortunate we have clueless and wicked leaders ruining Nigeria. In a country where the majority of the people cannot eat yet you have a president acquiring needless aircraft. Who did we offend as a nation to deserve wicked souls leading Nigerians. Ahhhhhhh Oluwa ooo. My president, I know for sure you will never do such and I can vow with my last breath,” Olamilekan A lamented.
“This administration is not thinking about cutting down the cost of governance!!!,” Omega X D stated.
“APC and Tinububis are more interested in profligate than governance,” Freegiver 2 added.
“The greed is ancestral,” Ugwu Francis declared.
“The Tokunbo Jet they bought with billions of dollars 😂,” Yemi of Lagos stated.
“Tinubu remains the worst human to have entrust the leadership of a nation like Nigeria to,” Viral Hub Central reacted.
“Tinubu denied this news like his life depended on it and now the plane just landed. How did this man rule Lagos bikonu?,” Chinedu Okoli commented.
“What a useless govt,” Raymond stated.
“Yacht, Jet, Limousine..... Bad governance,” Spicechief.eth commented.
FG claims that presidential jets were fraudulently seized in France over issue it wasn’t aware of
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that The Presidency announced that the actions of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company, that seized Nigeria’s Presidential jet were fraudulent.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alleged that the Chinese company tried to seize Nigeria's offshore assets through unscrupulous means.