Tinubu Bought Refurbished Jet, Not New One – Bayo Onanuga
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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has clarified that his principal acquired a refurbished jet contrary to popular opinion that it was a new one.
Recall that while the Presidency has continued to defend Tinubu’s action to purchase the refurbished Airbus A330, the move has been criticized by many Nigerians and some of his contenders in the 2023 election, who believed the President was unconcerned about the plight of poor Nigerians grappling under the weight of unprecedented food inflation, and energy prices which have quadrupled in the last one year.
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However, Onanuga, in an interview on Channels Television, Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, said some jets in the presidential fleet, like a 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo are all in bad condition and their maintenance costs were outrageous.
According to the presidential aide, instead of spending a bogus amount of money on aircraft maintenance, Tinubu sought the approval of the National Assembly for a refurbished jet that was still in good condition.
Onanuga said the refurbished Airbus A330 would save Nigeria high maintenance costs in servicing the old aircraft.
While urging Nigerians to prioritize the President’s safety, Onaniga noted that the newly acquired plane is Nigeria’s property and not for Tinubu.
The presidential spokesman noted that the President would not take the just-acquired jet with him when leaving the office, adding that the plane would also benefit Tinubu’s successor.
