The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election (LP), Peter Obi, on Tuesday said that it’s insensitive for anyone to demand for a new aircraft for Vice President Kashim Shettima amidst harrowing hardship in the country.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan, had claimed that Shettima’s life ‘is at risk due to the faulty presidential aircraft he is using to represent President Bola Tinubu in official engagements across the globe’.
Reacting to the comment, Obi said the Speaker was unconcerned about the prevailing economic hardship confronting Nigerians.
Writing on his verified X handle, Obi said: “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 to 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 most hungry nations in the world, with our people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger and starvation.”
Noting that the recently bought presidential aircraft could be used by both President Tinubu and Sheittima, Obi appealed to “the President, Vice President, and our public office holders that our present precarious situation calls only for minimal and highly contributory inevitable travels.
“Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service. 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.”
