NASS Gave No Approval For Purchased Presidential Jet----- Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe!
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe claims the Presidency bypassed the National Assembly’s approval before acquiring a new Airbus A330 for President Tinubu, amid public backlash over economic hardships.
The senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, says the Presidency did not seek any approval from the National Assembly before a new presidential jet was purchased for President Bola Tinubu, in August this year.
The Presidency had purchased a new Airbus A330 for Tinubu, amid the harsh economic hardship, triggering criticisms across the country, from Nigerians who felt the President prioritized his luxury while neglecting the hardship faced by the masses.
However, the a presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga had said then that, what was purchased was a "refurbished" aircraft, not a new jet
Following the development, many National Assembly members joined in the criticisms labelling the assembly as a rubber stamp.
But, Abaribe, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, noted that no request was ever brought to the National Assembly for the approval of the purchase.
His words, “I am in the national assembly, but I can tell you for a fact that nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the national assembly to say please approve this for purchase of a new plane.
“It was done without my knowledge, nobody brought anything. I never saw any document and I have always been in the national assembly. Ask anyone, none.”
Abaribe further said that the failure or refusal by the Presidency to approach the National Assembly with a request means that part of the job of the legislator to be a check on the executive was not being efficiently carried out.
He expressed worry that the public perceives the National Assembly members as rubber-stamp, noting that it was like that because the lawmakers felt that they had fought a lot without achieving much for the public and thus tried to have some cooperation with the Executive.
However, the a presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga had said then that, what was purchased was a "refurbished" aircraft, not a new jet
Following the development, many National Assembly members joined in the criticisms labelling the assembly as a rubber stamp.
But, Abaribe, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, noted that no request was ever brought to the National Assembly for the approval of the purchase.
His words, “I am in the national assembly, but I can tell you for a fact that nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the national assembly to say please approve this for purchase of a new plane.
“It was done without my knowledge, nobody brought anything. I never saw any document and I have always been in the national assembly. Ask anyone, none.”
Abaribe further said that the failure or refusal by the Presidency to approach the National Assembly with a request means that part of the job of the legislator to be a check on the executive was not being efficiently carried out.
He expressed worry that the public perceives the National Assembly members as rubber-stamp, noting that it was like that because the lawmakers felt that they had fought a lot without achieving much for the public and thus tried to have some cooperation with the Executive.
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