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Reps step down motion on Presidential Aircraft Malfunction

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

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…as committee chair on National Security explain why, vow to probe PAF, NSA

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives on Wednesday at plenary stepped down a motion of urgent public importance on the need to investigate the malfunctioning of the Presidential Aircraft.

The lawmakers had divergent views on the discussion of the issue of the challenges on the Presidential and Vice Presidential Aircraft, as lawmaker believed that it should not be a motion to be debated on the floor of the House at plenary but the relevant committee should be responsible enough to exercise their power and investigate the matter.

Rep Ahmed Satomi member representing Jere Federal Constituency of Borno State, who moved a motion of urgent public importance noted that in April, President Bola Tinubu was forced to fly in a chartered plane from Netherlands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the World Economic Forum.

He further noted that Vice President Kashim Shettima had to return back one house after embarking on a journey as the aircraft developed problems while airborne.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday was forced to cancel his trip to the United States where he was scheduled to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit, due to a fault with his aircraft.

Rep. Satome who is also the chairman House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, prayed the House to carry out a comprehensive investigation on the airworthiness and technical status of all the aircrafts in the presidential Air Fleet.

He also prayed the House to invite the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet and any other relevant officer(s) of government to give detailed explanations on why the Fleet is not operating at optimum capacity needed to guarantee presidential safety.

While some were of the opinion that the President should use commercial flights to travel, others said it was a national embarrassment to the country for the president to do so.

Rep. Sada Soli, lawmaker representing Jibiya Federal Constituency of Katsina state, express sadness over the recent developments with the presidential aircraft despite the huge amount allocated to the Presidential Air Fleet, he therefore said the PAF and National Security Adviser be summoned to explain to the House.

“Mr. Speaker, today is a very sad day for me to speak on this issue. Mr Speaker, if this country should find itself in this kind of situation, I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. The life and security of the president and indeed the sovereignty of this country, perhaps even he vice president, had this kind of snipe wit h his aircraft.

“We don’t know what is going on within the administration of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). What is really going on? We know how much money this house has budgeted to take care of these presidential fleet. What is going on? That our president should be held at ransome at the assistance of our friends outside this country to charter a private aircraft, surrendering his security and the integrity of this country. I think Mr Speaker this is a very serious issue, I think this House should summon the office of the National Security Adviser who are managing the fleet, so that we will address this issue once and for all”, he stated.

In his contribution, the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Ali Isah, member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency of Gombe State, while supporting the call for investigation of the state of the presidential aircrafts, said the development should offer President Tinubu opportunity to travel by road to enable him understand the state of road infrastructure across the country.

He said, “While I join my Honourable colleagues in sympathising with the situation of our presidential aircraft, we love our president just like the Leader clearly stated, and not only our president we also love all the people in government.

“Mr Speaker, since an issue has been raised, I will advise that the president should suspend using the presidential aircraft. If there is a need, he can use either commercial or chartered aircraft and another option that will also help Nigeria. If the president can travel by road, then Nigerians will have hope that our roads will be repaired soon”.

This proposal did not sit well with Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over Wednesday’s plenary.

He said: “Are you saying Mr President, the number one leader should travel around by road?,” he asked rhetorically amid support from All Progressives Congress lawmakers.

Rep. Isah position was supported by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Kingsley Chinda who argued that in Britain, the Prime Minister flies British Airways, and there’s anything wrong with a public officer using commercial transportation.

Rep. Chinda further advocated the resuscitation of a national career as a way out of the embarrassment.

He said: “Mr Speaker, very sincerely i have not seen anything wrong with a public office holder travelling in a public flight. The prime minister of United Kingdom flies British Airways, its commercial. So, I think that we should be thinking of how to resuscitate a national carrier”.

Addressing journalists Satomi said he stepped the motion not because it lacks merit or support but because he has the power to summon the NSA and the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet which is the major prayer in motion.

“I didn’t step down the motion because it lacks merit or support, it is because I have the power to summon the NSA and the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet, which is the prayer in that motion for them to explain.

“The Vice President last week was one hour airborne when the aircraft developed a problem and had to turn back. As I speak yo you this morning, he used a commercial flight to Kebbi, and the aircraft belongs to an individual.

“That aircraft belongs to the country that is whybthe presidential jet is called the “Airforce 1”. So therefore, it is a shame!

“When Mr. President wanted to leave from Riyadh to the United Kingdom, he used a chartered plane. In 21st century? No! Not Nigeria! Let’s be serious pls.

“Our fight defines our capacity believe it, and we have appropriated enough funds to my understanding for them to maintain these aircrafts. So that’s why I say the NSA should come and I want it to be public when he arrives. What is happening? We have all what it takes as a country not only to maintain the aircraft”.

“That aircraft belongs to the country that is why the presidential jet is called the “Airforce 1”. So therefore, it is a shame! When Mr. President wants to leave from Riyadh to the United Kingdom, he used a chartered plane. In 21st century? No! Not Nigeria! Let’s be serious pls.

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Disclaimer: NDLEA alerts public on fraudulent auction offers impersonating officials

Published

8 hours ago

July 3, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has drawn attention to a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by criminal elements and scammers targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

The fraudsters have been found using the names of top NDLEA officials, most notably the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to issue fake private letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale on auction.

The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money.

No official of the Agency has the mandate to privately offer, allocate, or sell forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals. Vehicles and other assets forfeited as proceeds of drug crimes are strictly auctioned through public processes managed by appointed, government-registered auctioneers. Any legitimate auction exercise is widely publicized in national dailies and through the Agency’s official channels, in line with established legal and public procurement guidelines.

Members of the public are strongly urged to discountenance, ignore, and report any such private letters, text messages, or social media offers claiming to originate from Barrister Shadrach Haruna or any other NDLEA official.

The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or via our official communication channels.

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2027 reggae dance: New ADC presidential candidate emerges

Published

8 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Nafiu Gombe has picked Professor Chris Uba as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The party disowned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer.

The group said the party had already completed its presidential nomination process in line with its constitution and the Electoral Act, adding that Uba emerged as the recognized candidate after all required procedures were concluded.

The faction also disowned the National Working Committee headed by former Senate President David Mark, saying it has no constitutional or legal authority to act on behalf of the party.

It maintained that the recognized leadership of the ADC remains in charge of the party’s affairs.

According to the statement released on Wednesday, the clarification became necessary to stop attempts to create confusion about the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group said the ADC had not entered into any alliance, merger or coalition with any political party.

added that the party remains independent and intends to contest the elections with its own structure, manifesto and leadership.

The faction said it believes Uba has the experience, character and capacity to lead the country if elected in 2027.

It also warned Atiku against presenting himself as the ADC’s presidential candidate, saying such a claim is false and could mislead party members and the public.

The group added that the ADC would not allow its platform to be used by politicians pursuing personal ambitions or by coalition groups seeking to take over the party’s structure.

It said every constitutional and legal step would be taken to protect the party from what it described as unauthorised use of its name and platform.

The faction also dismissed reports suggesting that there were plans to stop the ADC from participating in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission and the country’s electoral process.

It said the party is preparing to present candidates for the presidency, governorships, National Assembly, state assemblies and local government elections across the country.

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ANGER: Three Brothers Face Murder Charge for Beating man to death for dating Their Mom

Published

9 hours ago

July 3, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Three brothers have appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in Swaziland on a murder charge following the brutal de@th of their mother’s boyfriend.

The accused, Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23, all from the Hholoshini area in Eswatini’s Hhohho Region, are alleged to have fatally assaulted Njabulo Ngwenya on June 28, 2026.

According to police, the brothers att@cked Ngwenya with bricks, stones, sticks, open hands, and kicks to different parts of his body. Investigators allege the assa¥lt was motivated by the brothers’ belief that Ngwenya was having a relationship with their biological mother.

Court records state that the incident was reported after Sibongile Motsa, also from Hholoshini, informed police that she discovered her son, Njabulo Ngwenya, lying deed inside her sister’s house at about 1 a.m. on June 28, 2026.

The matter came before Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati during the trio’s initial court appearance.

The three defendants have been remanded in custody until July 10, 2026, pending committal of the case to the High Court for further proceedings.