The race by the Presidency to acquire a ‘new’ Presidential jet amidst wide public resentment gives cause for concern. It will be recalled that President Obasanjo in his first term in office attempted without success to convince the National Assembly and the Nigerian Populace of the need to acquire a presidential jet. 

Many Nigerians thought that the issue had been put to rest until last year when the Presidency included in the 2004 Appropriation bill a request to purchase a N10 billion Presidential jet. There had been of course public outrage at the request except of course from government cronies and sycophants.

It is pertinent to state that Nigerians are not against the acquisition of a new Presidential jet but rather that our national needs must be prioritized. It is a notorious fact that the value of our Naira is nose diving daily juxtaposed with the dollar, pound, Euro, etc, there is economic recession and an obvious capital flight amongst other economic hardships faced by majority of Nigerians. Any responsive government should know that the need for a presidential jet at this austere time should be the least of our needs.

The Presidency recently announced a $25 million cut from the previously estimated cost of $80 million for the presidential jet. The report that the aircraft being negotiated for had been on the ground for six years out of its 10-year warranty while a brand new aircraft of the same type with fresh warranty is going for $48.9 million, are reports that make one marvel at what manner of leaders we have found ourselves burdened with. 

It is against this backdrop that the Constitutional Rights Project, CRP calls on the National Assembly and the entire citizenry to resist the purchase of this presidential jet. 

It is indeed an affront to the sensibility of Nigerians, moreso as the people are continuously being compelled to make economic sacrifices while the government seems not to be ready to curtail its penchant for ostentatious spending.

CRP thus calls on the Federal Government to channel Nigeria’s dwindling resources into productive ventures that will benefit the people and cushion the effect of harsh economic policies currently in place.