The Federal Government did not purchase a new official jet for President Bola Tinubu, contrary to claims circulating on social media, according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. Speaking on Inside Sources on Channels Television, Onanuga clarified that the government acquired a refurbished jet for the President, which remains national property.

Onanuga explained that several jets in the presidential fleet, originally purchased under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, are now in poor condition with prohibitive maintenance costs. “The president did not buy a new jet; what he has is a refurbished jet – it has been used by somebody else before he got it, but it is a much newer model than the one President Buhari used,” Onanuga stated, adding that the refurbished Airbus A330 would reduce high maintenance expenses associated with the aging fleet.

He recounted a past incident where President Tinubu’s aircraft developed mechanical issues, necessitating a chartered flight to the Netherlands. “It’s not President Tinubu’s plane. It belongs to the people of Nigeria. It is our property,” he noted.

Onanuga emphasized the importance of ensuring the President’s safety and highlighted the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s support for the purchase. “People should try to prioritize the safety of the president,” he urged, adding that the jet will serve future Nigerian leaders as well.

However, the move has sparked criticism, with some Nigerians and 2023 presidential candidates condemning it as insensitive given rising food and energy prices affecting the population. Critics argue the action overlooks the struggles of Nigerians facing severe inflation and cost-of-living challenges.