How Presidential jet was purchased without NASS approval – Abaribe

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, has stated that the National Assembly was not approached for approval before the purchase of a new presidential jet for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In August, the Presidency unveiled a refurbished Airbus A330, sparking widespread criticism. Many Nigerians accused the President of prioritizing luxury amid the country’s economic hardship.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that the jet was not newly purchased but a refurbished aircraft. Despite this, critics also blamed the National Assembly for allegedly approving the deal without due diligence.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Senator Abaribe dismissed the claims, asserting that no such request was ever presented to the National Assembly.

He said: “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.

“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.”

He said that the failure of the Presidency to approach the National Assembly with a request meant that part of the job of the legislator to be a check on the executive was not being efficiently carried out.

The lawmaker said he was worried that the public perceives the National Assembly members as rubber-stamped, noting that it was like that because the lawmakers feel that they have fought a lot without much, yet it has not yielded much to the public and tried to have some cooperation with the executive.