Presidential jet: Impeach Tinubu, he has no pity for Nigeria – Idam to NASS

Following the purchase of a new presidential jet, activist lawyer Madubuachi Idam, on Wednesday, urged the National Assembly to commence the impeachment of President Bola Tinubu in accordance with Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution.

Idam argued that the presidency’s failure to seek the National Assembly’s approval before purchasing the jet is sufficient grounds for impeaching Tinubu.

He criticised Tinubu for showing “no pity for Nigeria’s economy,” accusing the president of engaging in “reckless abuse of scarce public funds” without restraint.

Despite public outcry, Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the purchase of the new presidential jet.

Onanuga stated that the jet was acquired below market value, claiming that the procurement saved Nigeria billions of naira in maintenance and fuel costs.

However, Idam, in a letter protesting the purchase, remarked that Tinubu’s administration is characterized by wastefulness, especially in light of the country’s current economic challenges.

“The reports circulating that the Presidency has acquired a new private jet must be untrue; otherwise, the National Assembly should immediately confirm its prior knowledge and approval of the transaction or take the necessary constitutional action against the President.

“If my memory serves me well, just a fortnight ago, the Senate President, while expressing the Senate’s willingness to approve whatever comes from the Presidency, clearly refuted the rumor that there was any move or request to acquire a new presidential jet.

“Therefore, if the news about the acquisition is true, it suggests that the transaction was conducted without even performing the mere ritual of seeking the already-anticipated approval of the National Assembly, which, in any case, would have been granted without question.

“I will refrain from lamenting that Mr. President has no pity for Nigeria’s ailing economy, which has conditioned the average citizen to a life of struggle for survival. The president has consistently demonstrated that his comfort cannot and should not be compromised, not even by the country’s economic crisis.

“Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, the only notable policies from President Tinubu’s administration have been extravagant, wasteful, and lavish treatment of himself and his government, rather than service to the ordinary Nigerian electorate.

“If it’s not the renovation of his office, his vice’s office, or his wife’s office, it must be to purchase cars for members of the National Assembly or a private jet for himself. He has shown a lack of mercy toward the struggling economy; otherwise, the three existing presidential jets cannot all be unfit at once to convey him wherever he needs to travel.

“Sadly, ordinary citizens are now helpless spectators in the affairs of their own nation. It is disheartening to see the rate at which the government’s scarce resources are being recklessly spent to satisfy Mr. President’s bourgeois desires, while common Nigerians are told to be patient for things to get better.

“The National Assembly must regain its firmness and, in accordance with Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), not hesitate to invoke its impeachment powers against the president. This has become necessary to end this continued needless spending. Mr. President should let the common Nigerians breathe.”