Tinubu didn’t seek NASS approval before purchasing new presidential jet – Sen. Abaribe

Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, has said President Bola Tinubu did not seek the approval of National Assembly before the purchase of a new presidential jet.

After months of speculation, the Presidency had confirmed the purchase of the new aircraft in August.

The purchase sparked outrage from across many Nigerians who described it as insensitivity.

But speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics on Monday, Mr Abaribe said the new presidential jet was purchased without his consent.

The lawmaker also lamented that most of the policies of the Tinubu administration could not be translated to the condition of ordinary Nigerians.

He also expressed pessimism over the ability of the current administration to tackle the myriads of challenges plaguing the country.

“Right now, what we have is a set of people who claim they know everything. We go from A to C if you don’t like it, it is because you are not in power.

“First of all, the old saying you must cut your coat according to your cloth is what you first do. You don’t live as if you are in the 70s when we have so much money.

“Tell me why we have to buy a new plane. Why should somebody just wake up and say that even the one the Vice President is using is not good? We need another one,” Mr Abaribe stressed.

When told by the presenter that the National Assembly which he is part of appropriated for the item, Mr Abaribe said: “I am in the National Assembly but I can tell you for a fact nobody brought any to the National Assembly to say please approve this for the purchase of a new plane.

“It was done without my knowledge. I never saw any documents. I have always been in the National Assembly.”