Senate President Godswill Akpabio has affirmed that the Senate will approve a proposal for the purchase of a new presidential jet if President Bola Tinubu requests it. Akpabio made this statement during today’s plenary session, held on Thursday.
He clarified, however, that there is currently no request before the Senate for the approval of such a purchase.
Akpabio expressed the Senate’s commitment to both the President and the Nigerian people, emphasizing that they will approve measures that benefit the populace and improve living standards.
He also highlighted the importance of supporting the President in performing his duties. “If his vehicle is bad, we will repair the vehicle. If his plane is bad, we will approve money for the repair of the plane. So that is not an issue. There is nothing before us. I don’t think you should worry about it,” he stated.
Addressing allegations made by a BBC correspondent, Akpabio mentioned: “Somebody called me from BBC; that what I said in Senator Mongunu’s house was false and should be disregarded.
That I was now saying that I will not approve.” He referred to this as “anticipated blackmail,” implying that critics are pre-emptively trying to dissuade the Senate from considering any future requests regarding the presidential fleet.
Akpabio stressed that the Senate remains focused on its responsibilities and will ignore such tactics. He noted that the President’s recent correspondence to the Senate did not include any mention of a new plane.
Drawing on examples of past incidents involving defective aircraft that resulted in the deaths of high-ranking officials, he underscored the importance of ensuring the safety and functionality of the presidential fleet. “We shouldn’t ever sit and allow such to be at the ocean. It wouldn’t be,” he declared.
He reassured that the Senate, along with the National Assembly, is committed to addressing issues that benefit the governance of the country. Despite the anticipatory blackmail, Akpabio reiterated that if the necessity arises in the future, the Senate will evaluate and act accordingly.
He concluded by reaffirming that currently, there is no request regarding the presidential fleet before the Senate, and urged people to disregard any propaganda suggesting otherwise.
