Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has criticized the federal government for spending $100 million on a presidential jet when there is a 40 percent food inflation in the country.

This criticism follows viral news reports that a French court has ordered the seizure of three jets belonging to the Presidential fleet.

Describing the incident as an international embarrassment, Obi, in a statement on Thursday, condemned the federal government's handling of the situation and highlighted the broader implications of the event.

“The trending international news on the seizure of three jets belonging to Nigeria’s Presidential fleet is yet another of many embarrassing things exposing our failed leadership and our attitude to the rule of law even in a democracy,” Obi said.

He argued that the incident underscores multiple dimensions of leadership failure in Nigeria and reflects a deep insensitivity to the economic hardships faced by the Nigerian people.

The seizure of the jets were due to a contract dispute between the Ogun State Government and a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited.

PUNCH earlier reported that the dispute stems from a 2007 agreement for the development of a free trade zone, which later fell apart, leading to arbitration and ultimately the seizure of the jets. Despite an independent arbitral tribunal awarding Zhongshan approximately $74.5 million, the Ogun State Government has disputed the decision and has not yet honoured the award.

Obi criticized the federal government for proceeding with the purchase of a Presidential jet at a time of severe economic hardship for the country.

“Paying as much as $100 million for a Presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the world and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings,” he stated.

He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the purchase and management of the jets, stating, “Nigerians have no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft. It has been done in secrecy.”