Nigeria's largest opposition parties the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have criticized President Bola Tinubu for the purchase of a new presidential jet worth $100m without the approval of the National Assembly.

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi described the move by the government as insensitive as Nigerians take an economic hit and struggle to feed.

The Labour Party on the other hand speaking through the campaign spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Yunusa Tanko said it was worrisome that the President would prioritised his convenience over the well-being of the generality of Nigerians amid the economic hardship in the country.

On Monday, August 19, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed in a post on X that his principal embarked on a working visit to France aboard a newly acquired Airbus A330 business jet.

The aircraft which is now registered to the Nigerian Air Force is typically used as a twin-aisle passenger aircraft. It was purchased last month at a cost of $100m.

Onanuga said this new jet replaces the older Boeing B737-700(BBJ), which had been in service for 19 years since its purchase during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

The upgrade marks a significant step in modernizing the presidential fleet.

The LP spokesman, in an interview with The PUNCH, lamented that in a country where the people were still wallowing in deep poverty, the President shouldn’t be seen purchasing a luxury jet.

Tanko said, “We thank God that the Freedom of Information Act gives the right to access some information, whether by writing or you ask directly. So every Nigerian has a right to know, apart from the constitutional right that the government must be transparent and accountable to the people.

“There are so many shady deals being done by this particular government that the people are not holding them accountable for them. The purchase of the jet is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, we heard that the President has allegedly bought a new car for himself.

“Obviously, they are just taking care of themselves at the expense of Nigerians. In a normal setting, the National Assembly should have known about it and decided whether to approve or not. The situation we found ourselves in this country is very appalling.

“So this government has to come clean and tell Nigerians where it got the money for a $100m worth of airbus when the people are wallowing in poverty. No empathy or show of pity for the people. Can you imagine we bought fuel for use today at N970 per litre at the pump?”

Also speaking with The PUNCH, the PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi, stated that the purchase of the presidential aircraft, made while Nigerians were enduring hunger and hardship, reflected the lack of seriousness of the APC-led Federal Government.

“This confirms the unseriousness and misplaced priorities of this government, which they have shown even before taking office. They have chosen to embark on goose-chasing and white elephant projects that are not in the interest of the nation.

“Despite the hardship in the country and the ongoing economic crisis, the inept APC government has remained deaf to the pleas of Nigerians, yet they proceeded to purchase another aircraft for a fleet that already includes no fewer than nine presidential aircraft.

“This is just another confirmation of the insensitivity of this government and the promotion of godlessness at the expense of the citizenry they swore to protect. We are watching, we are disturbed, and we are calling on Nigerians to take stock of all that is happening. If we do not come together to address the situation, it will be unfortunate for this country going forward,” Abdullahi said.