…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”.
“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 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.
“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,” he added.