Seizure of presidential jets, an international embarrassment –Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has criticized the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by a French court, describing it as an “international embarrassment” for the country.

A Paris court recently ordered the seizure of three jets belonging to the Nigerian government over a dispute involving an arbitration award in favour of ZhongshanFucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese firm.

The court ruled that the Chinese firm should use the three jets at the Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse international airports “as security for its claim of EUR 74,459,221”.

The court’s decision came amid a legal dispute involving an arbitration award in favor of ZhongshanFucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese firm, which claims EUR 74.5 million from the Nigerian government.

In a statement released by his campaign spokesperson, Obi condemned the federal government’s handling of the situation, accusing it of disregarding the rule of law and failing in leadership.

He also criticized the government’s decision to purchase the jets despite widespread economic hardship in the country.

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Obi demanded transparency from the federal government regarding the circumstances surrounding the jet seizure, emphasizing the need for accountability in governance. He also questioned the government’s adherence to contractual agreements and called for a full explanation of the actions taken following the UK court’s ruling on a related matter.

Obi urged the government to address the concerns of Nigerians and be more sensitive to the nation’s economic challenges, highlighting the importance of respecting the rule of law and the people’s trust.

“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,” the statement reads.

“It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.

“The fact that the federal government went ahead with the jet deal despite the cacophonous cry against the purchase of a presidential jet at this time when the people are going through a horrifying economic hardship shows the insensitivity of this administration.

“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.

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“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.

“Paying as much as $100 million for a presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the world and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings.

“This incident has also opened up an aspect of indiscipline that is copiously embedded in our country, which is the abuse and disrespect for the rule of law.

“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 Nigerian buildings in Liverpool, what did both Ogun state and the 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 former governor of Anambra said the federal government’s decision to proceed with the purchase of the jet amidst widespread criticism and severe economic struggles showed the insensitivity of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the plight of citizens.

Obi also demanded that the federal government explain the circumstances surrounding the jet seizure.