Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to acquire a new presidential jet, labelling it as a “failure in leadership” at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with hunger and economic hardship.
Last week, the Presidency confirmed through senior aide Bayo Onanuga that a new Airbus A330 had been procured to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700, which was acquired during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The announcement of the new jet’s arrival has sparked controversy and debate across the country.
In his statement, Duke condemned the acquisition, questioning the priorities of the current administration and highlighting the disconnect between the government’s actions and the dire economic realities faced by the majority of Nigerians.
He said;
“There is no glamour in saying your people are going through hard times; it is a failure of your leadership. If I am the head of a family, I want my family to have everything. I don’t want life to be difficult for them,” he said while featuring on Inside Sources, a Channels TV programme, on Friday, August 30.
“If life is difficult, then I feel I have failed to provide for them or do the things I ought to have done. I would ask him (Tinubu) to see the Nigerian nation as his family. What is good for his family is good for the nation.
“Buying a new aircraft or yacht or living large is a failure. You can’t have kids who are hungry and you are living lavishly, going to parties and wearing the biggest agbada.”
On the security challenges facing the country, Duke, the governor of the South-South state between 1999 and 2007, asked the president to hold heads of security agencies responsible.
He said;
“Hold the security agencies responsible for a failure of security. There should be consequences. You cannot sit down and say you are a DPO, commissioner of police or you are GOC and crime is being committed in your domain. Hold them responsible.”
