Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requested Senate approval for funds to purchase a new presidential jet.
Akpabio addressed the issue following a closed-door meeting with senators that lasted over an hour.
The Senate had cut short its recess, originally set to end on July 2, 2024, to hold an emergency session. The primary purpose of the session was to consider a bill to amend the 2023 supplementary appropriation act, extending its implementation to December 31, 2024, as requested by President Tinubu.
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Addressing the rumors, Akpabio stated, “I have never received correspondence to approve the purchase of a plane.
We care about the president; we care about Nigerians. We will approve things that will benefit the people. There is nothing before us. But the purveyors of the story know that there is a problem with the presidential fleet.”
Supporting Akpabio’s statement, Senate Leader Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) also dismissed the claims.
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“There is no such request. If the request comes, not only will the Senate debate it, but we also have 469 members here. So this is the handiwork of fifth columnists and propagandists,” Bamidele said.
The emergency session focused on addressing pressing legislative matters and ensuring that the extended appropriation act aligns with national interests and benefits the Nigerian populace.