The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, of nursing evil intentions for trying to stop the Federal Government (FG) from acquiring new aircrafts for the presidential fleet. The group said Peter Obi’s interest is not the improvement of Nigeria’s economic situation or the interest of the common man but to bring disaster to the presidency.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Tuesday, 18th June, 2024 by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said:
“The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, yesterday, Monday 17th June, 2024 chided the Federal Government (FG) for planning to purchase new aircrafts for the presidency (https://www.vanguardngr.com/
“We have no iota of doubt that Peter Obi is shedding crocodile tears. His interest is not the improvement of Nigeria’s economic situation or that of the common man but to bring disaster to the presidency. Peter Obi nurses evil intentions.
“Peter Obi’s body language since the declaration of the results of the 2023 presidential elections has exposed him as a bitter politician and a bad loser who cannot come to terms with the reality of his defeat. Obi is a Trumpist. He will go to any length to bring disaster to his perceived political enemies.
“Little wonder, therefore, that Obi is yet to condemn his supporters for calling for a military coup months after their treasonable utterances (https://newsdigest.ng/peter-
“How many times do we have to drum it to the ears of this far right, ultra nationalist opposition cartel that the presidential jets are already worn out? They have become rickety, risky and unserviceable. They have broken down so many times during trips.
“For instance, President Tinubu had to continue his journey on a commercial plane very recently after two presidential jets broke down simultaneously (https://gazettengr.com/
“Also on 7th May, 2024, Vice President Kazim Shettima had to shelve a trip to the United States for the US-Africa Business Summit when the presidential jet developed a fault one hour after take-off (https://punchng.com/shettima-
“Is this not scary enough? What does Peter Obi and his co-travellers want? Yet we have no scintilla of doubt that this set of desperate opposition will be the first to send hypocritical condolence messages if their serpentine wishes for the president or his vice become fait accompli. But it is the duty of patriotic and compos mentis Nigerians to ensure that no such disaster occurs.
“In a press statement issued last Friday, 14th June, 2024, MURIC suggested that the presidency should suspend all foreign trips until new aircrafts are provided (https://theshieldonlineng.
“With new presidential jets, humongous economic benefits await Nigerians as the president and his vice will be able to honour international obligations and events thereby attracting confidence in the safety of investments in Nigeria.
“It is noteworthy that Obasanjo was able to travel to 97 countries during his tenure because the presidential planes were airworthy at the time. His trips fetched Nigeria the famous debt relief of the Paris Club worth $18 billion and an overall reduction of Nigeria’s debt stock by $30 billion. The deal was completed on April 21, 2006 when Nigeria made its final payment and the books were cleared of any Paris Club debt (https://www.premiumtimesng.
“Former President Muhammadu Buhari visited 43 countries in his eight years as president. On the 2015 US trip alone, he attracted N2.7 trillion investments to Nigeria (https://www.vanguardngr.com/
“In like manner, President Tinubu secured a fresh $250 million investment in Nigeria and another $100 million in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos state during his recent trip to the Hague in May 2024 (https://www.thecable.ng/
“That is why we cannot afford to lock up our leaders and restrict their movements to the nation’s borders as a result of lacking airworthy jets. They must go out to meet the world. Interpersonal interactions are by far more effective and more result-oriented than interaction via remote telephone discussions. We must not lock up Nigeria because we have economic problems. Interaction with the international community is vital for solving those problems and for general technological breakthrough.
“We must also not assume that the jets are for the president and his vice alone. They are used even by the least expected and the lowest of our citizenry, particularly in times of crisis. The presidency uses those aircrafts to fetch important stakeholders from place to place to resolve urgent national issues.
“The question is what kind of people are we? Are we the type of people who want their leaders to perish in plane crashes or the kind that appreciate their leaders’ efforts as they travel in and outside the country seeking solutions to our country’s problems? The choice is ours. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said ‘You will get the type of leaders you deserve’.
“The National Assembly (NASS) should ignore the rantings of Peter Obi and his co-travellers. Nigeria should go ahead and buy new presidential jets to avoid a national calamity. The old jets can be sold to reduce the cost of new ones. We have had enough of president and vice president in flying ‘molue’ buses.”