Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has criticized the report of three Nigerian presidential jets being seized in France, calling it a further embarrassment that highlights Nigeria’s failed leadership.
The jets were ordered seized by a French court due to a contract dispute between Ogun State and the Chinese company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited. In response, the Federal Government announced it is taking legal and diplomatic steps to overturn what it termed “inappropriate orders” against the jets, which are claimed to be protected by sovereign immunity.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Obi condemned both the Federal and Ogun State governments, asserting that the aircraft seizure underscores various aspects of leadership failure in Nigeria.
He stated, “The international news of three Nigerian Presidential jets being seized is yet another embarrassing incident that exposes our leadership failures and disregard for the rule of law, even in a democratic system. This situation also reveals our insensitivity to the struggles of the growing poor class in our country.”
Obi added that the situation is compounded by the secrecy surrounding the management of federal assets, likening it to handling public property as private family assets. He questioned the Ogun State Government’s adherence to its agreement with the Chinese firm and criticized the lack of transparency after previous court rulings, such as the UK court’s prohibition on Nigeria selling certain assets in Liverpool.
Obi challenged the Federal Government to be transparent with Nigerians and explain how the country ended up in this international debacle.
Seizure of Presidential Jets- An International Embarrassment.
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
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 15, 2024
