Seizure of Presidential jets, an international embarrassment, says Peter Obi

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate, has described the recent seizure of Nigerian presidential jets by a French court as an international embarrassment.

The incident, which has drawn widespread attention, involves the court ordering the seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft over a legal dispute between the Ogun State government and a Chinese company.

Speaking on the matter, Obi expressed deep concern over the damage such an incident could do to Nigeria’s global reputation. He criticized the handling of the situation, emphasizing that it reflects poorly on the country’s leadership and international standing.

Obi’s comments highlight the serious implications of the court’s decision, which stemmed from a failed contract between the Ogun State government and Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. The ongoing legal dispute, and the subsequent seizure of the Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737-7N6/BBJ, and an Airbus A330-243, have raised questions about Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and the protection of its assets abroad.

As Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice work to resolve the issue in collaboration with the Ogun State government, Obi’s remarks serve as a reminder of the broader consequences of such international disputes.

He wrote:

The trending international news on the seizure of three Jets belonging to Nigeria’s Presidential fleet is yet another of many embarrassing things exposing our failed leadership and our attitude to the rule of law even in a democracy. It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.

The fact that the federal government went ahead with the jet deal despite the cacophonous cry against the purchase of a Presidential jet at this time when the people are going through a horrifying economic hardship shows the insensitivity of this administration. Added to it is the embarrassing aspect of our country’s Presidential jets being held for contractual breaches arising from yet another dimension of inadequate leadership tidiness.

I have been loud in my demand over time that the government at all levels should be accountable to the people, meaning that they must be very transparent in all their dealings. Until a court in France prohibits Nigeria from moving or selling these three jets, Nigerians have no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft. It has been done in secrecy.

Federal Government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset..Paying as much as $100m dollars for a Presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the World and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings.

This incident has also opened up an aspect of indiscipline that is copiously embedded in our country which is the abuse and disrespect for the rule of law.

Here are questions begging for answers:
-1). To what extent did the Ogun government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm?

-2). After the UK court ruling that prohibited some Nigeria building in Liverpool, what did both Ogun state and Federal government do before the French court action ?

I would like to, therefore, challenge the federal government to come clean and transparent on this matter and tell Nigerians how we got to this latest international mess. – PO.