2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi reacted to a Speaker’s comment, urging the Federal Government to purchase new aircraft for Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, stating that the VP’s live is in danger because of the faults recorded in his official aircraft.
While reacting to this comment on X, Tuesday, the LP Presidential Candidate who slammed the leader, said the leader’s remark at this time not only insensitive but obviously unconcerned about prevailing economic situation in the country.
The statement reads: I just read a disturbing comment in the media space attributed to one of the supposed political leaders in the country that the life of the Vice President is in danger because of the faults recorded in his official aircraft.
“The leader went further to urge the Federal Government to purchase a new aircraft for the Vice President. In making such a remark now, the speaker is insensitive and obviously unconcerned about the prevailing economic situation in the country.
“That Nigerians are facing untold hardship at this moment is no secret. Such a provoking call is coming from a person who probably is oblivious of the fact that Nigeria, at present, has continued to manifest every trait of a failed state”.
Peter Obi said further that today, Nigeria is among one of the eleven worst-governed African nations in the last 10 years, adding that the country is also among the 20 most hungry nations in the world, with its people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger and starvation. He said, “Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year. Are these not the issues that should be prioritized by committed leaders?
“Our national electricity grid has so far collapsed 8 times this year alone and 105 times in the last ten years, plunging our small businesses into great losses and households into darkness.
“In the past 15 months, several businesses have closed down or become distressed due to the harsh economic environment in the country.
“Are these not the issues that should preoccupy us as leaders, rather than being consumed by our selfish desires for needless luxury at the expense of the people we are called to serve?Peter Obi asked, “What does Nigeria’s Vice President need a new jet for, and what value are all Presidential and Vice Presidential trips adding to our present situation?
He said, “It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decide to buy a Presidential jet, used by both the President and Vice President”.
Reports has it that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima canceled a official trip due to damages to the cockpit windscreen of his designated aircraft during a stopover at the JFK Airport in New York.
The VP was to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Govt Summit in Samoa on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but as a result of the faulty aircraft the minister of environment, Balarabe Lawal was delegated to attend the summit while the aircraft’s repair commenced.
