Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2024 elections, has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to clarify the situation regarding Nigeria’s presidential jets. Obi voiced his concerns on August 21 via his X account (formerly known as Twitter), urging the government to be more transparent about both the newly acquired jet and the older ones being sold.

According to Obi, there has been a lot of confusion and denial surrounding the purchase of a new presidential aircraft. However, he highlighted that despite the government’s attempts to keep it under wraps, a French court provided information confirming the arrival of the jet. Obi believes that, as Nigerians, the people have the right to know the full details of the transactions involving the jets—how much they cost, why they were purchased, and what happened to the older planes.

Obi said,

“Now that the Jet is here, can Nigerian taxpayers whose money was used to purchase it need to be privy to how much it cost and how old the aircraft is and how long its been in operation.

In addition, Nigerians also deserve to know about how the old jets being disposed, how many of them, how old they are, and why they are being sold. Transparency and Accountability should be the hallmark of any genuine leadership,”

“A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president, is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet,”

Obi’s call for clarity resonates with many Nigerians who expect transparency and accountability from their leaders. Given the state of the economy and various challenges the country faces, public interest in how funds are spent—especially on high-profile purchases like presidential jets—is at an all-time high.

In a time when citizens are calling for more openness from the government, Obi’s statement adds pressure on the Tinubu administration to address the concerns and provide a detailed explanation.

For Nigerians, it’s not just about the jets—it’s about building trust between the government and its people through honesty and transparency. As the conversation grows louder, the public will continue to demand answers on how their resources are being managed.