It’s a Refurbished Aircraft, Not New – Onanuga Clarifies Tinubu’s Jet Acquisition
In a recent interview, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga addressed the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s new aircraft, clarifying that it is not a new official jet but a refurbished one.
“It’s not President Tinubu’s plane; it belongs to the people of Nigeria. It is our property,” Onanuga stated during the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television.
Onanuga highlighted the dilapidated state of some jets in the presidential fleet, including a 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 acquired under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He noted that the maintenance costs for these aging aircraft were exorbitant, prompting the President to seek approval from the National Assembly for a more reliable, refurbished option.
The newly acquired Airbus A330, he asserted, will significantly reduce maintenance expenses associated with the older jets. “This refurbished jet is still in good condition and is a much newer model than what President Buhari used,” he explained.
Onanuga emphasized the importance of the President’s safety, urging Nigerians to prioritize it.
“We want his safety so he can hand over to whoever will take over from him,” he said. He assured the public that the refurbished jet would remain the property of Nigeria and would not be taken by Tinubu when he leaves office, also serving future administrations.
“The plane that President Buhari used was purchased about 20 years ago,” Onanuga added, recounting an incident where Tinubu had to charter a jet to the Netherlands after a malfunction during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Despite the administration’s efforts to clarify the situation, the acquisition has faced backlash from some Nigerians and political opponents, who argue that it shows insensitivity to the struggles of citizens dealing with soaring food prices and energy costs.
Concerns over the state of the Presidential Air Fleet have recently escalated; in May, a faulty jet prevented Vice President Kashim Shettima from attending the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit. Additionally, a presidential aircraft, the Falcon 900B, was put up for sale last December, indicating ongoing issues with the fleet.
