Former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, has labeled President Bola Tinubu’s decision to acquire a new presidential jet amid widespread hunger in Nigeria as a “failure in leadership.”
Last week, the Presidency announced, through senior aide Bayo Onanuga, the arrival of a new presidential jet for the Nigerian president. According to Onanuga, the country has procured an Airbus A330 to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 that was acquired under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Duke condemned the acquisition, stating, “There is nothing glamorous in acknowledging that your people are struggling; it reflects a failure of leadership. As the head of a family, my priority is to ensure my family has everything they need. I don’t want their lives to be difficult.” He expressed these sentiments during an appearance on “Inside Sources,” a Channels TV program, on Friday.
“If life is hard, I feel I have failed in my duty to provide for them and to take the necessary actions. I would advise him (Tinubu) to see the Nigerian nation as his family. What benefits his family should benefit the nation as well.”
Duke continued, “Purchasing a new aircraft or yacht or living extravagantly while the populace faces hardship is a failure. You cannot have hungry children while you are indulging in lavish parties and wearing the most extravagant agbada.”
Regarding the security challenges in the country, Duke, who served as governor in the South-South state from 1999 to 2007, urged the president to hold the leaders of security agencies accountable.
He stated, “The heads of security agencies must be held responsible for any failures in security. There need to be consequences. You cannot remain complacent if you are a DPO, commissioner of police, or GOC, while crimes are committed in your jurisdiction. They must be held accountable.”
