By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Public outrage continues to trail the purchase of a new presidential jet by the Bola Tinubu administration.
The government’s decision to allocate over N150 billion for the purchase of the aircraft, at a time when Nigerians are grappling with a tough economic environment and a lingering cost of living crisis, has angered many.
Mr Tinubu’s policies of subsidy removal and exchange rate unification have led to increases in the prices of commodities, which experts believe are driving the current inflation.
The president has, in the past one year, urged Nigerians to bear with the hardship occasioned by those policies.
However, the government does not appear keen to follow its own counsel, as inflation currently stands at 33 per cent.
In this report, Sundiata Post reviews some of the most lavish purchases under the current administration.
Presidential Jet
The Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, reportedly cost the Nigerian government over $100 million.
It should be recalled that the government secured the approval of the House Committee for the purchase of this luxurious jet, which drew the ire of many Nigerians who have described the government’s action as insensitive.
Although the National Assembly claimed it is yet to appropriate money for the purchase, the president has already taken the jet for a flight to France.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has consistently maintained that he is ready to grant any approval requested to finalise the purchase.
“I don’t see how it is feasible that the topmost priority of a government dealing with the level of biting hunger and poverty in the land is to consider the purchase of a befitting aircraft for the president,” Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister, said during an appearance on Arise Television’s ‘Politics Today on Sunday.
Presidential Yacht
Last year, there was significant backlash against the government for the planned purchase of a presidential yacht.
In the 2023 supplementary budget of N2.17 trillion, President Tinubu proposed N5 billion for the procurement of a presidential yacht.
The uproar over the proposal led to the National Assembly declining the request and diverting the money towards other expenses.
However, according to several sources, the yacht had already arrived in the country at that point. The government has neither confirmed nor denied this.
Sundiata Post learnt that the House of Representatives is putting pressure on the Navy to return the ship to the vendor.
N21 Billion House for Shettima
Another controversial expense since this administration took office is the reported N21 billion spent on the completion of the official residence of the Vice President.
The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, prioritised the completion of the residential project despite other competing infrastructure projects needing attention.
But despite public outrage, the minister proceeded to complete and commission the project.
N160 Million Cars for National Assembly Members
Amid the current economic hardship, members of the National Assembly also received their share of the luxury with the purchase of luxurious Sport Utility Vehicles, which are believed to have cost N160 million per unit for members of the House.
It is unclear what the Senate received, but they are expected to get more.
While the House claimed that the vehicles are official cars to be returned at the end of the administration, DAILY POST learnt that some lawmakers opted for cash instead of the car.
N90 Billion Subsidy for Hajj
The government also spent N90 billion on the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It could be recalled that the devaluation of the naira led to a sharp increase in the cost of Hajj for the 2024 exercise, with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) forced to review the fee several times.
The government subsequently intervened with a N90 billion subsidy; however, that money is now the subject of multiple probes by different anti-graft agencies.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, and several other management staff were arrested by the EFCC over the alleged mismangement of the N90 billion subsidy.
N1.5 Billion Cars for Office of the First Lady
Nigerians have had a complicated relationship with the Office of the First Lady due to the overbearing nature of some of its occupants, who, despite being unelected, are notorious for intruding into governance.
There is also the cost associated with running the office, which is largely a ceremonial role.
In the 2023 supplementary budget, the government proposed N1.5 billion to buy vehicles for the office.
