Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to acquire a new presidential jet, calling it a “failure in leadership” given the current economic hardships faced by many Nigerians. Duke’s comments come in the wake of an announcement that a new Airbus A330 had been procured to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700, which was originally acquired under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a recent appearance on Channels TV’s program “Inside Sources,” hosted by Laolu Akande, Duke did not mince words in expressing his disapproval of the acquisition. He argued that in a country where many citizens are struggling to make ends meet, the purchase of a new luxury aircraft for the president is both insensitive and a sign of poor leadership.
“There is no glamour in saying your people are going through hard times; it is a failure of your leadership,” Duke stated during the interview. “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. If life is difficult, then I feel I have failed to provide for them or do the things I ought to have done.”
Duke urged President Tinubu to view Nigeria as his family, implying that the president should prioritize the needs of the nation’s citizens over personal or governmental luxuries. He likened the situation to a father neglecting his hungry children while indulging in lavish lifestyle choices.
“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,” Duke said, emphasizing the disconnect between the government’s actions and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Nigeria is currently grappling with severe economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty. The decision to purchase a new presidential jet at such a time has sparked outrage among citizens who feel abandoned by a government that appears more focused on luxury than on addressing the dire needs of its people.
This criticism adds to the growing scrutiny of President Tinubu’s administration, which has been under fire for its handling of various national issues, including security, the economy, and governance. While some have defended the acquisition as a necessary upgrade, others see it as emblematic of a leadership that is out of touch with the needs and struggles of the average Nigerian.
Bayo Onanuga, a senior aide to President Tinubu, confirmed the arrival of the new jet last week. He explained that the Airbus A330 was acquired to replace the aging Boeing B737-700, which had served the Nigerian presidency for nearly two decades. However, this justification has done little to quell the criticism.
In addition to his remarks on the presidential jet, Duke also addressed the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. He urged President Tinubu to hold security agency heads accountable for their performance, emphasizing that there should be consequences for failing to maintain security in their jurisdictions.
“Hold the security agencies responsible for a failure of security,” Duke insisted. “There should be consequences. You cannot sit down and say you are a DPO, commissioner of police, or GOC, and crime is being committed in your domain. Hold them responsible.”
On the economic front, Duke stressed the need for indigenous solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges, rather than relying on international bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank. He argued that while these organizations might provide “textbook solutions,” the unique circumstances of Nigeria require tailored approaches that take into account the country’s specific needs and realities.
“The IMF or the World Bank would not give you those textbook solutions. It has to be an indigenous solution to our problems,” Duke said.
