Why Shettima needs a new aircraft – Borno Speaker

Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, speaking from Maiduguri on Sunday has expressed concern over the safety of the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima after the shock incident at the JFK Airport, New York during a stop over.

Following the incident, Lawan established that the safety of the number two citizen in the country is paramount.

“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 the urgent need to acquire a new aircraft to Senator Kashim Shettima so as to avoid these recurrence of air mishaps”, he clearly said.

His statement suggests that the public outcry that met the alleged decision of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to mandate the federal government to acquire new aircraft for the President and his Vice was based on impulse due to the current economic hardship biting hard into the livelihood of citizens.

Shettima who was scheduled to attend the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa canceled his trip after a foreign object hit the cockpit windscreen of the aircraft conveying him at the JFK Airport.

The situation of the aircraft was shared online by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the president on Information and Strategy on his official X handle.

Onanuga stated that some parts of the aircraft and the cockpit windscreen was damaged after the unfortunate collision.

Lawan while sympathising with the FG and those aboard, also gave thanks to the almighty for preserving the life of Shettima and all those aboard the aircraft.

I want to sympathize 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”.

In his words, “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”.