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PDP, LP Condemn N55bn Budget for Overhauling Presidential Aircraft
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have strongly criticized the N55 billion allocated in the 2025 national budget for maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet, calling it a misplaced priority given the nation’s economic challenges.
The controversial allocation is part of the 2025 Appropriation Bill sent to the National Assembly for approval. If approved, over N55.5 billion will be spent on overhauling three aircraft engines in the presidential fleet, including fuel, fumigation, air navigation, cleaning, and general maintenance.
The Ministry of Aviation’s total budget for 2025 stands at N105.95 billion, with N71.12 billion earmarked for aviation and aerospace development. Other allocations include N9.8 billion for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, N7.98 billion for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and N7 billion for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
From July 2023 to September 2024, N19.43 billion was spent on maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet, with N13.55 billion recorded in 2024. The proposed budget for 2025 includes N8.65 billion for air navigation equipment, N5.5 billion for the overhaul of one aircraft engine, and N1.55 billion for fuel costs. N7.5 million has been allocated for cleaning and fumigation, and N311 million for aircraft insurance premiums, which will likely be handled by foreign insurance companies due to the lack of local capacity to insure airliners.
The opposition parties have reacted strongly to these figures. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, the South-West Chairman of the PDP, initially declined to comment on the possibility of acquiring another aircraft but promised to follow up. Abayomi Arabambi, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, condemned the allocation as “inhuman” and “satanic,” arguing that with millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship, such spending on luxury aircraft was an affront to the masses.
Arabambi also pointed to the recently purchased Airbus A330, which cost over $100 million, as an example of the government’s lavish spending, while noting the administration’s failure to prioritize poverty reduction.
Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, called the proposed expenditure a national shame, criticizing the administration for its “love for profligacy.” He urged the government to reassess its priorities and address the needs of the citizens rather than indulging in wasteful spending on luxury travel.
Engineer Olakunle Aina also expressed disappointment, claiming the allocated funds for travel were excessive. “It’s the height of insensitivity,” he said, suggesting that better management could reduce costs while redirecting funds to more pressing needs.
Similarly, trader Mrs. Aina, who saves diligently for a year to accumulate N150,000, said she could not fathom the enormity of the proposed amount for aircraft maintenance, calling it traumatic and unjustifiable in a country where many struggle to survive.
As the National Assembly reviews the budget, public outrage over the allocation continues to grow, highlighting the disconnect between government spending and the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion.
He also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
This was announced on Friday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The ₦68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It allocates ₦15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” the statement read in part.
The President also has assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
The extension, the statement revealed, would ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
It will enable ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure. With the 2026 Appropriation Act coming into force on April 1, the Federal Government will commence full implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” it added.
Additionally, President Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with a strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the National Assembly for its diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.
The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms.
The budget is also expected to be partly financed through external borrowing, following the approval of a foreign loan plan exceeding $21 billion to bridge the fiscal gap.
₦9.85trn Increase
The 2026 budget represents an increase of ₦9.85 trillion over the initial proposal of ₦58.47 trillion that Tinubu submitted to the National Assembly, and ₦13.33 trillion higher than the 2025 budget.
The President had while presenting the 2025 budget proposal before federal lawmakers in December 2025, pegged the capital expenditure at ₦26.08 trillion and the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.
He disclosed that the expected total revenue was ₦34.33 trillion; ₦15.52 trillion for debt servicing.
The proposal was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.
Amid the growing concerns over insecurity across the country, Tinubu said his administration would “invest in security with clear accountability for outcomes—because security spending must deliver security results”.
“We will take decisive steps to strengthen agricultural markets. Food security is national security.
“The 2026 budget prioritises input financing and mechanisation; irrigation and climate‑resilient agriculture; storage and processing; and agro‑value chains,” he told the National Assembly members.
Nigeria’s budgets in recent years have come under fire with experts critcising the poor implementation and release of funds for the execution of important national projects.
But the Tinubu administration said that the 2026 national budget was well-planned to solidify the gains of its reform agenda.
“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It is a commitment to double down on what is working, to solidify gains, and to ensure that the shared prosperity we speak of becomes a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement.
Popular sports broadcast journalist with Classic FM 97.3, Temisan Okomi, has died.
A journalist with News Central, Olawale Adigun, confirmed his death in a statement shared on X on Friday.
He wrote on X, “The worst way to go into the weekend is hearing about Temisan Okomi’s passing. I’m so gutted and, at the same time, terrified. This man meant so much to me.”
Recall that news of his death has since stirred reactions on X, with colleagues and fans expressing shock and grief.
The late journalist had worked with Lagos Television, HiTV, and other prominent media organizations in Nigeria.
His last post on X was on April 14, 2026, when he wrote, “The Champions League is hard, man.”
Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a political associate of ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has claimed that the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has agreed to deputize the Obi in the 2027 presidential race.
He spoke during an interview on Trust TV, said the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are already aligning towards Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.
Asked if Obi and Kwankwaso had struck a deal, Abdulkarim said “yes, I can categorically tell you that they have agreed”.
We all know that. Both the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are aware of the agreement”.
Recall that Kwankwaso recently decamped from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
His move stirred suspicion that the two political gladiators may have agreed to run for the 2027 presidency on a single ticket.
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