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Nigerians ‘hammer’ Reno Omokri over comment on new presidential jet

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Some Nigerians have criticised social media influencer, Reno Omokri, over his comment on the newly acquired Presidential jet.
The criticism stems from a piece which Omokri, former social media aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, wrote in reaction to a comparative analysis which Daily Trust online published on Tuesday.
One of the major reasons the presidency put forward for acquisition of the new jet is the age of the aircraft, which was purchased under former President Olusegun Obasanjo 19 years ago.
But experts who spoke with our reporters said the age of an aircraft does not matter but maintenance.
Checks by Daily Trust showed that Air Force One, the aircraft of the world’s most powerful president, is 34 years old and has been used by six different presidents.
This newspaper had run checks and got reactions of experts in the story, which Omokri, a latter day defender of President Bola Tinubu, found offensive.
Accusing Daily Trust of mischief, Omokri claimed this newspaper took on President Bola Tinubu because he is a Southerner.
“Please fact-check me: You deliberately omitted to tell your readers that the U.S. has ordered a new Air Force One from Boeing, at the cost of $3.9 billion, which is over 300 times the cost of Nigeria’s new Presidential Jet. You also failed to inform your readers that it costs $177,843 an hour and $2,964 every minute for the US Air Force to maintain the current Air Force one that President Biden uses, which, when you calculate the yearly cost is more than the $100 million Nigeria spent on the new Presidential Jet.”
“Finally, you additionally failed to tell your readers that the Presidential Aircraft that crashed and killed President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran was an old one, and that it was better serviced than Nigeria’s old Presidential Jets. Daily Trust, what do you want to achieve by this mischievous reportage filled with half-truths? You have a nasty habit of attacking every Southern President. You did the same things to Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan, deliberately suppressing information and projecting only propaganda that would undermine their administrations. Yet, you spent eight years being General Buhari’s apologists. What is your agenda? Do you want President Tinubu to die like President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran? God forbid! #TableShaker.“
However, his post generated divergent views from his followers with the majority criticizing him for defending what appeared to be a Presidential profligacy.
He should compare apples with apples not apples with peanuts. What is the size of the two economies? What is the affordability like between the countries? When he’s done washing dishes and cleaning toilets he might just go and do some fact checking. Supporting Buhari? Where did this one come from? If Daily Ttust mollycoddled Buhari why was it raided and closed twice by Buhari?” a social media user wrote.
Abdulrashid Habib with the handle @pARasheedH1 wrote, “By your so called facts isn’t it wiser for the president to use chartered or commercial flight whenever he is to travel out for the meantime till the economy bounce back to shape as part of his sacrifice. Remember he asked the poor citizens to persevere in pain.”
Yakub Tijani @YakubTijani2 wrote:
“What a country filled with many embedded vested interests. As for me, I am done defending the president because the process leading to this acquisition was manipulative.”
Another commentator Oluseun @Popcilu said, “My question is, can you compare Nigeria to the US in terms of economic growth?
Similarly King1729 with the handle @ighok1729 wrote: “The U.S. economy is approximately $24 trillion. Nigeria’s economy is less than $500 billion. The net worth of some U.S. airports alone matches the total size of Nigeria’s foreign reserves.”
Another respondent with the handle @baabajnr said, “But @renoomokri if the Nigerian government had taken care of the needs of the citizens before buying the jet no one will complain, if our roads are good, our schools, our hospital, inflation is low, fuel is available and considerably cheap no one will complain.”
Julius Ogedengbe @Jogedengbe also in response to Reno’s “fact-check” wrote: “Mr Omokri nobody wishes the President’s plane to crash but at the same time compare the cost of Air force one to USA GDP then compare Nigeria’s GDP to the cost of the plane bought. This is not the best of times to purchase that. On this, daily trust is right.”
A handle by the name @tweetbyabba said, “Please fact-check me too, Is the rate of poverty in America the same in Nigeria or is Nigeria’s GDP higher than America’s.”
Another user @headoption said, “This Reno… the US plane is still in use abi not but Nigeria government abandoned their own to buy another after spending billions VP house and still have to borrow money telling Nigeria that we should be patient I no even add the new car…”
“Whatever it is Reno is looking for I pray he finds it, because this new defense ehn e get as e be,” another user @Mrmarcelpen said.
All what you have said still didn’t invalidate the fact the US presidential plane is about 34yrs old . You are comparing the cost of maintaining the Air Force One with our presidential plane as if we and US na mate. Oya compare our GDP with theirs,” said another user @Oryauii.
However, some netizens who aligned with Reno, insisted the President deserves a sound and fit Presidential plane befitting of his status. They also joined in pouring invectives on Daily Trust.
@KING_SEGZZY said, “Even if #PBAT decide to Trek, people will criticise him for wearing shoe, they will bash him for not walking bare-footed. Hatred for Tinubu is power – packed and still powered from Kainji Dam through 100MM cables bought from Russia. Na God dey run him matter else…..(sic).”
A user with the handle @mariodimmy said, “Thank you sir for the information….I admire the way you exposed @ daily trust.”
@sogooyewale said, “@daily_trust, desist from disseminating half-truth. Your job is to be non-partisan and air expedient information at full pelt always. Do the right thing and have your readers increase, do otherwise and see the reaction.”
News
INEC ought to have archived recall petition long ago-Senator Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Thursday hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting a petition to recall her as the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The lawmaker, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the electoral umpire should have thrown out the petition long before it did on April 3, 2025.
“I’m a lawyer. I’m a senator and I understand how Nigeria works. For me, the most important thing is this recall process has been stalled.
“I give kudos and credit to INEC even though I believe they should have thrown it away from the get-go.
“I think it was void ab initio because there is no law in the Electoral Act that says a petition should be discarded just because there is no address but again, what if the address is false?”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain argued that most of the addresses provided in the petition for her recall were false because most houses in her district weren’t labelled.
Even though INEC did count 208,000 signatures, I bet you if they had gone into the verification stage, they would have struggled to even have 500 people come out to attest to signing that,” she added.
News
We’re putting together new 2025 Budget for Rivers-Ibas

…hosts Delegation Of Rivers NASS Caucus
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, has said that an appropriation bill for 2025 is being articulated to provide for critical development concerns in healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas also said that the anticipated budget will cater to creating more employment opportunities for Rivers people and advance delivery of technology in critical facets of public life.
The administrator gave the hint when he hosted the delegation of Rivers State caucus at the National Assembly, led by Dr Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing Rivers South-East District, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Those on the delegation included Senator Allwell Onyesoh, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Hon Dumnamene Dekor, Hon Solomon Bob, Hon Cyril Godwin Hart,
Hon Blessing Amadi, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon Kelechi Nwogu, and Hon Victor Obuzor
Ibas said he has been resolute, since assumption of office, to restore law and order, and with support from the security agencies, an environment has been created where Rivers residents feel valued and safer.
The Administrator stated that the commitment is to make Rivers a model of peace in the comity of States, with a stable economy and citizens courageous to pursue their livelihood without fear or molestation.
“In addition to our peace building efforts, we are also focused on the economic stability and development of Rivers State.
“Since the Supreme Court verdict on the state’s budget, we have acted swiftly and decided to put together a new budget that reflects our commitment to healthcare, education, social services, and continued infrastructural development.
“We have worked diligently to ensure that the process is transparent, inclusive, and most importantly expedited. Our goal is to ensure that we do not lose any more time in making the necessary investments that will improve the lives of citizens.”
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas stated: “The budget which is been finalized focuses on creating job opportunities and investing in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.
“We understand the urgency of this initiative, and we are committed to ensuring that they are implemented without delay.”
The Administrator noted that to get the task done, the support of the legislators will be required as key representatives of Rivers State in the National Assembly.
He sued for their assistance in securing the necessary resources and legislative backing that would bring the initiative of his administration to fruition.
“Your partnership is critical to success in ensuring that Rivers State remains on the path of progress and enduring peace for future generations.”
He explained that in the face of the challenges that beset Rivers, which led to the State of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, dialogue, community engagement and reconciliation were deplored to build trust among the citizenry.
He noted that the people of Rivers State have shown incredible resilience and patience in the efforts taken so far to restore the State back to the path of peace and respect for the law.
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas assured that his administration remains committed to achieving enduring peace for the state.
He said: “Beyond security, we have prioritised community engagements as a central part of our strategy. Dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusivity have been key to building trust among our people.
“We are determined to strengthen the bond of unity in Rivers State and to foster an environment where every citizen feels valued, heard, and respected. Together, we are making strides in ensuring that peace becomes a permanent feature of our state.”
Responding, Senator Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East District, said they are dedicated representatives of Rivers people at the National Assembly and resolved to support all efforts that will bring development to the State.
While commending the administrator for the modest successes he had achieved so far, Senator Mpigi pledged the support and cooperation of the legislators to ensure the return of the state on the path of law and order.
News
Just in: Shettima jets out to attend Senegal’s independence

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal for official assignment.
The VP is expected to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the West African nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal marks its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its liberation from French colonial rule in 1960.
The annual celebration is a significant event featuring national parades, cultural displays, and ceremonies highlighting the country’s achievements and unity.
A statement issued on Thursday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima’s participation followed an official invitation from Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
This underscored the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Senegal.
The two nations share longstanding relations, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), fostering cooperation on regional security, trade, and development initiatives.
The event is expected to reaffirm Senegal’s commitment to democratic governance and regional cooperation.
Vice President Shettima is scheduled to return to Nigeria immediately after the one-day celebrations, continuing his engagements in national development and diplomatic outreach.
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