*Purchase of New Presidential Jet Criticized by Former Governor Duke*
Recent news has brought to light a controversy over the purchase of a new presidential jet for Nigeria. Former Governor Donald Duke spoke on the matter while appearing on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Friday, August 30, 3034.
The move follows the presidency’s announcement that it would acquire a new Airbus A330 to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to the presidency, the need for the new jet arose after Tinubu had to use a commercial plane following a breakdown of the presidential jet during his trip to Rotterdam, Netherlands in May.
The president, who was due to travel to Saudi Arabia from the Netherlands, had to travel on a chartered plane as his main aircraft was undergoing maintenance.
However, Donald Duke has strongly criticised the decision to buy a new plane, saying it was inappropriate in a difficult economic climate.
He said: “There is no glory in saying that your people are going through difficult times. It is a failure of your leadership. If I am the head of a family, I want my family to have everything they need. I don’t want life to be difficult for them.
“If life is difficult, then I consider that I have failed to provide for them or to do what I should have done. I would ask Tinubu to consider the Nigerian nation as his family. What is good for his family is good for the nation.
“Buying a new plane or a yacht, or living in luxury, is a failure. You cannot have hungry children and live a lavish life, go to parties and wear the biggest agbada,” the former governor said.
This harsh criticism of Donald Duke resonates with the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which are a testament to widespread discontent and calls for better governance.
He added: “A protest is like your children coming to you and saying, ‘Daddy, I am not happy with you. You have failed to do this and that for me.’
“I would ask Tinubu to reconsider a number of things that are happening and review his policies. The policy of currency devaluation was a mistake because it was not thought through.
“The biggest pressure on the Nigerian currency is coming from fuel importation, and the way it is being done is fueled by corruption. We are paying the price,” he concluded.
This questioning of the purchase of a new presidential plane by former Governor Duke highlights the challenges of responsible governance and the priority to be given to the needs of the population in a context of economic difficulties..
Donald Duke’s reaction highlights not only the need for prudent management of public resources, but also the importance of leaders putting the interests of the people ahead of their own privileges.
This controversy should prompt deeper reflection on political and economic decisions made at the highest levels, and greater transparency and accountability on the part of leaders regarding the use of public funds.