The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has described the decision of the federal government to purchase new airplanes for the Presidential fleet, at a time when the country is grappling with crippling economic woes and citizens are struggling to make ends meet as insensitive.
Ag. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Muhammed Ishaq in a statement issued Monday said it was appalled by the insensitive and profligate decision of the President Bola Tinubu-led APC government to purchase new airplanes.
The party noted that at a time when the economy is in ruins, with inflation rates inching towards 40 per cent and workers’ wages yet to be reviewed, it was unconscionable that the government was prioritising luxury spending over the welfare of the people.
It said: “The proposal to purchase new airplanes for the presidential fleet is a clear testament to the government’s detachment from reality and its lack of empathy and accountability.
“We urge the government to remember that they are not serving themselves but the Nigerian people.”
The party stressed that the government should focus on addressing the pressing issues of poverty, unemployment, and economic stagnation rather than indulging in lavish spending sprees.
Ishaq said for instance, China, the world’s second-largest economy, purchased its Presidential jet from Boeing in 2000 and has been flying it for 24 years.
It stressed that the United States, the world’s largest economy, has a presidential jet manufactured by Boeing that was purchased in 1990 and has been used by six successive American presidents for 34 years.
The party added that in contrast, Nigeria’s Presidential Jet was purchased in 2003 and became operational in 2005, making it a mere 19 years old.
It said: “We can not understand why our government is not learning from aforesaid good examples despite the fact we are nowhere as rich as these economies.
“We need to prioritise our needs as a nation and be responsible in spending against dwindling resources. It is evident that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his counterpart in the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, are living in an ivory tower and perpetuating an unpleasant government that caters more to their own interests than those of the people.”
The PRP, therefore, demanded that this wasteful expenditure be reconsidered and that the government instead focus on delivering tangible benefits to the Nigerian people.
It called on well-meaning Nigerians to join the party in condemning this reckless spending spree and demanding better governance from our leaders.