Former Minister of Education and activist, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has sharply criticized the current administration under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, referring to both the presidency and the National Assembly as the “real bandits.”
She made this remark during an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, where she expressed her disapproval of the recent purchase of a new aircraft by the president amidst Nigeria’s severe economic difficulties.
According to OurWorldGist, Dr. Ezekwesili argued that in a society where many people are living below the poverty line, it is irresponsible for the government to spend such a significant amount on a new presidential aircraft when the existing one could be maintained.
She also accused the National Assembly of insulting the intelligence of Nigerians by approving the purchase after claiming to have conducted a thorough investigation.
Dr. Ezekwesili, also, criticized President Tinubu’s approach to subsidy removal, describing it as a mockery of governance.
She contended that merely removing subsidies does not address the root issues and that a complete deregulation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), similar to what was done in the telecom sector, is necessary to tackle the corruption within the NNPC and make it more functional.
Meanwhile, the controversy over the aircraft purchase has drawn widespread criticism, particularly on social media, where many Nigerians have voiced their outrage.
The presidential jet, an Airbus A330 reportedly acquired for $100 million, was purchased from AMAC Aerospace and previously owned by Midroc Aviation.
The acquisition comes at a time of extreme economic hardship in Nigeria, with inflation reaching a 28-year high of 34.2% in June before slightly decreasing to 33.4% in July.
The cost of living has soared, especially after the removal of gasoline subsidies, and the local currency has depreciated by 70% since June of the previous year.
Peter Obi, the second runner-up in the 2023 presidential election, also condemned the purchase, describing it as evidence of the administration’s insensitivity to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He added, “the decision to buy the jet amid such economic turmoil has further highlighted the leadership failures and disregard for the growing poverty in the country”.
