The investigation carried out by the Special Commission on the Presidential Air Fleet (FAP) resulted in essential conclusions, contained in a report made public. This investigation followed a series of incidents which had raised concerns about the airworthiness and condition of FAP aircraft.
Indeed, President Tinubu was forced to travel on a chartered plane in April from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF). Similarly, Shettima had to take a detour after a technical problem affected his plane mid-flight, while he was traveling to Dallas in the United States to represent the President at the 2024 US-Africa Economic Summit.
These events aroused concern within the House of Representatives, which gave the commission the mandate to investigate in depth the technical state of the presidential fleet. MP Ahmed Satomi (APC-Borno), chairman of the committee, raised the question of the president’s security and pointed out a certain negligence in the technical management of the presidential fleet.
After heated debates in the House, the committee made a crucial recommendation: the acquisition of two new aircraft to strengthen the presidential fleet. According to the commission, given the fragility of the Nigerian federation and the risks incurred in the event of technical failure, it is imperative to guarantee the security of the president by ensuring optimal functioning of the presidential air fleet.
This recommendation highlights the vital importance of having a reliable presidential air fleet to ensure the security of the President and prevent any damaging incidents to the country. It is essential to act quickly and proactively to protect the integrity and security of presidential travel, ensuring that means of transportation are technically flawless.
In a context where national stability and security are paramount issues, investment in a modern and functional presidential fleet appears to be an imperative necessity to preserve the integrity and authority of the presidency.