Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that the Senate will approve the purchase of a new presidential jet if President Bola Tinubu makes such a request.
He made this remark during Thursday’s plenary session, emphasizing that no such request is currently before the Senate.
“We care about the President and the Nigerian people. We will approve things that benefit the people and improve their living standards. At the same time, we recognize the duties of the President.
If his vehicle or plane needs repair, we will approve the necessary funds. There is no issue here, as there is nothing before us at this time,” Akpabio stated.
Addressing rumors, Akpabio added, “I received a call from the BBC claiming my statement at Senator Mongunu’s house was false and should be disregarded, suggesting I would not approve such a request.
This is what you can call anticipated blackmail. Those spreading these rumors know that any issue with the presidential fleet will come before Parliament, and they aim to preemptively discredit our decisions.”
Akpabio continued, “We should ignore these unfounded claims. I have read the President’s correspondence to us, and there is no mention of a plane.
However, given past incidents like the deaths of the vice president of Malawi and the president of Iran due to defective aircraft, we cannot afford to neglect such matters.”
“The Senate and National Assembly are responsible bodies. We will consider issues that benefit the governance of the country, irrespective of anticipatory blackmail.
If a future necessity arises for a presidential jet, the Senate will review it accordingly. But for now, there is nothing before us,” Akpabio concluded.
Previously, the Senate President expressed concern over alleged propaganda against the Senate regarding the purchase of the presidential fleet.
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