Peter Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, has condemned a recent proposal to acquire a new jet for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it "insensitive" to Nigeria's current economic hardships. In a post on X, Obi expressed frustration with Borno State House of Assembly Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan, who raised concerns over Shettima’s safety following damage to his aircraft on October 25, ahead of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Samoa. Lawan urged the Federal Government to procure a new jet for Shettima, citing safety concerns.
Obi questioned the priority of this call, pointing out Nigeria's pressing economic challenges, including mass poverty, hunger, and frequent electricity grid collapses. He stated, “Our per capita income has plunged from $1,700 in 2023 to $1,109 this year, and we remain among the most impoverished and hungry nations globally." Highlighting that the national grid has collapsed multiple times this year, he urged leaders to focus on addressing these fundamental issues instead of pursuing luxury items for officials.
The call for a new jet for Shettima follows recent backlash over the government's acquisition of an Airbus A330 for President Bola Tinubu in August, a move widely criticized amid Nigeria's ongoing economic crisis.
