Peter Obi has condemned the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by a French court, labeling it an international embarrassment. He criticized the government's decision to purchase the jets amid economic hardships and demanded transparency regarding the circumstances that led to the seizure.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticized the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by a French court, calling it a significant international embarrassment. The court's decision stems from a dispute involving Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese firm, which secured an arbitration award against the Nigerian government. The jets, currently held at Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse international airports, are being used as collateral for the firm's claim of EUR 74.5 million.
In response, the Nigerian presidency accused the Chinese company of employing underhanded tactics to confiscate the nation’s offshore assets. However, Obi, through a statement by his campaign spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, argued that the incident highlights the federal government's disregard for the rule of law and a broader failure in leadership. He expressed concern that the purchase of the jets, amidst severe economic hardship, demonstrated the administration's insensitivity to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
Obi also demanded transparency from the government, urging them to clarify the circumstances that led to the jet seizure. He emphasized that the decision to acquire the jets, despite widespread public outcry, underscores the administration's disconnect from the reality faced by the country's citizens.
He further questioned the lack of public knowledge surrounding the transaction and criticized the government's handling of national assets as though they were personal property. Obi's statement reflects growing discontent with the current administration's decisions, particularly in the face of ongoing economic challenges.
