Politics
Opposition kicks as FG plans N55bn for presidential fleet maintenance
This is contained in the 2025 Appropriation Bill sent to the National Assembly for approval.
If approved by the lawmakers, over N55.5bn will be spent on total overhauling of three aircraft engines in the presidential fleet, including fuelling, fumigation, air navigation, cleaning, and other maintenance of the presidential fleet.
The entire aviation ministry’s 2025 budget stands at N105,953,496,365, The PUNCH understands.
The budget, which was scrutinised by our correspondent, showed that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has N71,123,368,069; the Nigerian Meteorological Agency gets N9,819,554,829, while N7,975,364,319 goes to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
Others are the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, with N10,035,209,148, and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, which was allocated N7,000,000,000.
Meanwhile, at least N19.43bn was spent on the maintenance and operations of the Presidential Air Fleet from July 2023 to September 2024, The PUNCH gathered.
Checks by our correspondent on GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending, showed that the payouts amounted to N13.55bn in 2024, representing 66 per cent of the allocations for the fleet in the fiscal year.
The yet-to-be-passed budget showed that N8,646,336,653 bn was earmarked for the repair of air navigational equipment, while N5,514,000,000 was set aside for an engine overhaul of one of the aircraft in the presidential fleet with the registration number 5N-FGW.
The document further stated that two other engines will be overhauled with the sum of N3,132,336.65.
The government also planned to spend N8,646,336,653 on air navigational equipment, with N1,550,000,000 proposed for aircraft fuel cost in 2025 and another N1,255,700,000 for aircraft maintenance in the presidential fleet, among others.
Besides, the sum of N149,000,000 was appropriated for security operations (overhead) and an additional N7,500,000 for cleaning and fumigation services for the presidential fleet.
The sum of N311,145,300 was set aside for insurance premiums for aircraft.
However, this huge sum may be handled by foreign insurance companies such as the United States and the United Kingdom, since local insurance companies don’t have the capacity to insure aircraft, particularly airbuses.
Meanwhile, local insurance companies only occasionally serve as “middlemen” between the presidency and their foreign counterparts.
When approached by our correspondent, South-West chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, asked if the presidency was planning on procuring another aircraft.
He, however, promised to get back but never did till press time.
Also venting his anger on the development, factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, described the development as an inhuman and satanic act, adding that spending such an amount of money on the presidential fleet was a misplaced priority. He reasoned that with millions of Nigerians struggling to make ends meet, it’s an appalling and “wholesome insult to the Nigerian masses that the government would choose to spend such a large sum on luxury aircraft.
He said, “The presidential air fleet already has some aircraft, including a recently purchased Airbus A330, which cost over $100m.
“The government’s spending habit is a clear indication of its lack of commitment to reducing poverty and inequality.
Debo Adeniran, the executive chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, noted, “What we are getting from this administration is opposite to our expectations… an administration that has fallen in love with profligacy.
“It’s time the government rethink its priorities and start putting the needs of its citizens first. The proposed expenditure on presidential jets is a national shame, and it’s time for Nigerians to demand better from their leaders. As you noted, it’s surprising that the same people who are complaining about the government’s wasteful spending will likely vote for the same politicians in the next election. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.”
An engineer, Olakunle Aina, said he was disappointed to hear that such figures are voted for travel, stating that the funds are huge for fancy sake.
“I am not an aeronautic engineer, but I know that the money wouldn’t have been that huge if our leaders were ready to manage, only if they were in tune with the level of hardship in the land, but no! They are not suffering; what to eat is not their problem, and that is why the next thing for them is affluence. For me, spending such huge money on the presidential fleet is the height of insensitivity.
“It can be cheaper while the balance can be better channelled; our leaders must think, and the time for that is now.”
A trader, Mrs. Aina, said she couldn’t relate to what the huge amount meant to get Nigeria better and subtly added that her biggest saving was N150,000.
“The biggest I ever had is N150,000, and I contributed that for a whole year just to get a koiki. So, when you say some leaders intend to spend N55bn on travelling in aeroplanes, that will bring trauma to me; I will be tempted to place curses on them.”
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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