Politics of Presidential jet

It was sad and embarrassing for us as a nation to watch the President abandon his jet following his visit to Minna, Niger State for a PDP North Central rally. But it was equally sad and even more embarrassing watching a debate on this issue in the House of Representatives. Sometimes, one wonders why we spend tax-payers’ money to maintain some of these representatives who don’t even know what their jobs entail.

It is unfortunate the Chairman of a House Committee chose this opportunity to exhibit his un-representable skills for his constituency and Nigeria. One thinks he is a deep disgrace to himself and his party. Why are people always changing the goal post whenever it is convenient for them and suits their arguments?

We keep seeing some of our leaders shamelessly refer to America when citing examples and want to compare Nigeria and how things aren’t working here. But in this case now the Honourable had shifted the goal post and cited UK and her Prime Minister, labouring to claim that the British leader hops on commercial aircraft when travelling. He was so myopic and forgot that we run a Presidential system like the Americans which we so much love to copy and the U.S. President is flown on Air Force one to help him execute the functions of his office.

Besides, he rightly claim also there are 10 aircraft in the Presidential fleet as if the President uses all at once. An unbiased observer should know that our Vice President, Senate President and some other top government functionaries are entitled to the Presidential fleet except two aircraft specifically dedicated to the use of the President.

In America that we love referring to Barack Obama has two large aircraft for his specific use and many other medium size jets together with about 19 helicopters, besides there are many other aircraft in the American Presidential fleet for the use of the Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defence, etc.  So why do Nigerians hate themselves this much just in the name of politics and to criticise?

So if our Presidential jet is bad, must we allow our leader to be embarrassed and humiliated in such ways all in the name of politics and being an opposition party or do we desire our President to also “taste” a plane crash so we can be thrown into national mourning? Shame on most of us.

Diana-Abasi Alphonsus Udoh,
University of Copenhagen,
Denmark