The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has chided the Federal Government for seeking to acquire new aircraft for the presidential fleet despite the nation\u2019s economic problems.<\/p>\n
Obi, who condemned the planned purchase as insensitive and unacceptable, said it was unfortunate that the executive was thinking of luxury amidst the suffering of Nigerians.<\/p>\n
The LP standard bearer said this in a series of tweets on his X handle on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said \u201cAt a time when our country is on the front page of global newspapers for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government is contemplating buying new presidential jets.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens\u2019 struggles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect that is apparent between the government and the people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unacceptable as the situation in the country today more than ever demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritizing citizens\u2019 welfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford necessities.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need.<\/p>\n
\u201c Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their suffering and finding solutions to their problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor long, our bad leadership has made our priorities, as leaders, to be at variance to the needs of society, which is why we are headed now south, as a nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo elucidate further, despite dropping down to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, with huge debt burdens and borrowing to service debts, yet, we are spending $15 million for our Vice President\u2019s residence, while the USA, the world\u2019s largest economy with a GDP of $25 trillion, about 100 times our GDP, and a per capita income of $80,000, about 80 times ours, still houses their Vice President in Number 1 Observatory Circle, a house built over 100 years ago, and whose value is less than the $15 million we are spending on our VP\u2019s residence.<\/p>\n
\u201cA reputable real estate company reports that the US Vice President\u2019s Official Residence is valued at about $7.5 million today.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we had earlier refurbished the old VP residence with $2 million, the over 100-year-old US Vice President\u2019s house has only undergone wide-scale renovations twice, funded by taxpayers\u2019 money; in 1993 and 2021. Every new US VP is free to finance any minor refurbishing from his funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must prioritize education, healthcare, and lifting our citizens out of poverty. Let us work together to build a nation that truly serves its people, not just the interests of a few.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s rise to the challenge, and build this new Nigeria which is now more possible than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has chided the Federal Government for seeking to acquire new aircraft for the presidential fleet despite…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":109418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n