By Bolarinwa Kabir
Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President has debunked that the Senate had approved the purchase of new presidential jets for the use of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He stated this as being malicious quoting him to have said the National Assembly would approve the purchase of new aircraft for the President and Vice President irrespective of the harsh economic situation in the country.
He noted that the alleged report comes in the wake of the recommendation by the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to buy new aircraft for the President and the Vice-President as the existing presidential jets are faulty and unsafe for use.
Honourable FM learnt that, last week when President Tinubu flew to South Africa for the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa, private jet was used.
Jackson Udom, Akpabio media aide denied that the National Assembly had approved the purchase of new aircraft for the President.
According to the statement, the Senate President stated this while speaking to reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State, shortly after leading a delegation to pay a condolence visit to Senator Tahir Monguno over the death of his father.
He stated, “I want to dispel the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he would buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever.
“I never said that. I was actually in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is the handiwork of propagandists and fifth columnists who never see anything good in what we are doing.
“Rest assured, pray for the government, have patience and be assured that the combination of Tinubu and Shettima will bring wealth and prosperity to all,” Akpabio said.
He expressed satisfaction with the security situation in Borno State and urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the Tinubu administration.
“I am happy to see that peace has returned to Borno, as a result of the hard work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to tell the good people of Borno to continue to support the administration,” Akpabio concluded