Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has revealed that the National Assembly was not consulted about purchasing President Tinubu’s new Airbus A330 jet. He criticized the lack of transparency, expressing concern that the legislature’s failure to approve the purchase reflects poorly on its role as a check on executive power.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has claimed that the National Assembly was not consulted about purchasing President Bola Tinubu's new Airbus A330 jet. In an interview on Channels Television, Abaribe stated that no request was brought to the lawmakers for approval before the plane was bought, despite public criticism surrounding the purchase.
The plane, unveiled by the Presidency in August, has sparked backlash, with many Nigerians questioning the expenditure given the country’s ongoing economic struggles. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the purchase, clarifying that it was a "refurbished" jet, not a new one. Abaribe expressed concern that the failure to seek approval from the National Assembly reflects poorly on the legislature, which is meant to check the executive.
He also remarked on the public perception of lawmakers as a "rubber stamp" due to their tendency to cooperate with the executive, despite limited results for the public. This has led to frustration among citizens, who feel the National Assembly should be more active in scrutinizing the actions of the Presidency
