The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has revealed that there was no request for a new presidential jet before it was purchased.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Abaribe shared that no one approached the National Assembly to request the purchase of a new presidential jet before it was revealed to the public.
Abaribe’s disclosure comes after the presidency unveiled a new Airbus A330 purchased for President Bola Tinubu in August, sparking backlash and criticisms from Nigerians.
While bashing the presidency for what they described as the President prioritizing his comfort over the needs of citizens amid the economic hardship, Nigerians slammed National Assembly members, calling them out for rubber-stamping the easy approval of Tinubu’s request to purchase a new jet.
Revisiting the issue on Monday, Senator Abaribe clarified that no such request was brought before the National Assembly.
“I am in the national assembly, but I can tell you for a fact that nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the national assembly to say please approve this for purchase of a new plane,” he stated.
“It was done without my knowledge, nobody brought anything. I never saw any document and I have always been in the national assembly. Ask anyone, none,” Abaribe added.
The senator also pointed out that the fact that the presidency did not make such a request means that the legislator’s job function as a check on the executive is not being efficiently carried out.
Credit: The Sun