Politics
By Victoria Frances
PETER Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in 2023 elections, is disturbed by the call for the purchase of a new aircraft for Vice President Kashim Shettima amidst economic crisis, poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
Obi’s in his X official handle on Wednesday, October 30, stated that he “just read a disturbing comment in the media space attributed to one of the supposed political leaders in the country that the life of the Vice President is in danger because of the faults recorded in his official aircraft.”
His statement is sequel to Abdulkarim Lawan, speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, comments that the life of Shettima was at risk as a result of the “faulty” presidential aircraft he always flew to represent President Bola Tinubu on official engagements across the globe.
Lawan made the statement following the presidency’s announcement that Shettima could not proceed to Commonwealth Summit in Samoa because a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York on last Sunday.
Noting that “The leader went further to urge the Federal Government to purchase a new aircraft for the Vice President,” Obi said: “In making such a remark now, the speaker is insensitive and obviously unconcerned about the prevailing economic situation in the country.”
Obi, who was the former governor of Anambra State also said the speaker appeared not to know “That Nigerians are facing untold hardship at this moment is no secret.”
According to him, “Such a provoking call is coming from a person who probably is oblivious of the fact that Nigeria, at present, has continued to manifest every trait of a failed state.x
Part of his statement reads: “We are today among one of the eleven worst-governed African nations in the last 10 years. We are also among the 20 most hungry nations in the world, with our people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger and starvation.
“Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year.
“Are these not the issues that should be prioritized by committed leaders?
“Our national electricity grid has so far collapsed 8 times this year alone and 105 times in the last ten years, plunging our small businesses into great losses and households into darkness.
“In the past 15 months, several businesses have closed down or become distressed due to the harsh economic environment in the country.
“Are these not the issues that should preoccupy us as leaders, rather than being consumed by our selfish desires for needless luxury at the expense of the people we are called to serve?
“What does Nigeria’s Vice President need a new jet for, and what value are all Presidential and Vice Presidential trips adding to our present situation?
“It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decide to buy a Presidential jet, used by both the President and Vice President.
“The Vice President travels mostly in the country’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia.
“And since we have recently undeservedly bought one, it should be used on essential, inevitable trips of the President and Vice President.
“I appeal to the President, Vice President, and our public office holders that our present precarious situation calls only for minimal and highly contributory inevitable travels.
“It is time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges for the wellbeing of the people and the development of our country.
“Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service.
“A New Nigeria is POssible if we can get our priorities right.”
A.I
Oct. 31, 2024
Tags: Peter Obi Vice President Kashim Shetimma Victoria Frances
