Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has clarified that the Federal Government did not acquire a new official jet for President Bola Tinubu, but rather a refurbished one.
Speaking on the Sunday edition of “Inside Sources” on Channels Television, Onanuga emphasized that the aircraft belongs to Nigeria and is intended for the president’s use.
He noted that many jets in the presidential fleet, including a 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, are in poor condition, leading to exorbitant maintenance costs.
Onanuga explained that instead of incurring significant expenses on maintaining the old aircraft, President Tinubu sought approval from the National Assembly for the refurbished Airbus A330, which is in better condition.
He stated, “The president did not buy a new jet; what he has is a refurbished jet – it has been used by somebody else before he got it, but it is a much newer model than the one President Buhari used.”
He added that the previous aircraft was over 20 years old and had caused operational issues, such as when President Tinubu had to charter a plane to return from Saudi Arabia due to mechanical problems.
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Onanuga urged Nigerians to prioritize the president’s safety, asserting that the new aircraft is an asset for the country and would also serve future leaders.
“People should try to prioritise the safety of the president. I’m not sure anybody wishes our president to go and crash in the air.
We want his safety so that he can hand over to whoever wants to take over from him,” he said.
Despite these reassurances, the purchase of the refurbished Airbus A330 has drawn criticism from many Nigerians and political opponents.
Critics argue that the decision reflects a disconnect with the struggles of ordinary citizens facing soaring food prices and energy costs.
The state of the Presidential Air Fleet has raised concerns, highlighted by incidents where faulty jets have disrupted official travel, such as Vice President Kashim Shettima missing a key summit due to a malfunctioning aircraft.
In response to ongoing issues, the Nigerian Air Force had previously announced plans to sell a presidential aircraft, indicating broader challenges within the fleet’s operational readiness.
