The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Thursday, condemned the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets in France, calling it a stark example of the country’s “failed leadership” and lack of transparency.
The jets were seized by a French court due to a contract dispute between Ogun State and a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. The Federal Government has vowed to take legal and diplomatic action to reverse the “inappropriate orders,” citing sovereign immunity.
Obi, in an X post on Thursday, lambasted both the Federal Government and Ogun State Government for their handling of the situation. He argued that the seizure exposed multiple dimensions of leadership failure, including a lack of accountability, transparency, and sensitivity to the plight of the poor.
Obi questioned the secrecy surrounding the purchase and sale of the aircraft, demanding answers on the extent of Ogun State’s agreement with the Chinese firm and the government’s actions following a UK court ruling on a related matter.
He challenged the Federal Government to come clean and provide transparency on the issue, saying, “Federal Government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset.”
Obi posted, “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.”
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“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.
“Here are questions begging for answers: To what extent did the Ogun government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm? 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.”
The seizure of the presidential jets has sparked widespread embarrassment and outrage, with many Nigerians calling for greater accountability and transparency from their leaders.
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