The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet, Olayinka Oyesola, to address the recent breakdowns of aircraft in the presidential fleet. This move follows a plenary session on Wednesday, where the committee’s chairman, Ahmad Satomi (APC, Borno), announced the summon.
Background of the Issue
The investigation stems from multiple incidents involving the malfunction of planes in the presidential fleet. Recently, President Bola Tinubu was forced to charter a commercial plane for his trip from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia due to a fleet aircraft breakdown. Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s scheduled trip to the United States for the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit was cancelled because of a technical fault with his aircraft.
Plenary Session Debate
During the plenary session, Mr Satomi moved a motion to investigate the fleet’s management and the impact of these aircraft breakdowns on the safety of high-ranking officials. The motion sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, dividing them along party lines.
Opposition Views
Opposition members, such as Minority Whip Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe), argued that the president and vice president should consider using commercial flights or road travel to set an example for improving public infrastructure. Isa suggested that using commercial flights could inspire confidence in the nation’s transportation systems and promote road repairs. Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader, supported the idea of public officials using commercial flights, citing the example of the UK Prime Minister flying with British Airways. He criticized the House for spending legislative time on the issue and emphasized the need for better maintenance of the presidential fleet or the inclusion of new aircraft in the budget if necessary.
Ruling Party’s Stance
In contrast, ruling party members underscored the security risks associated with public officials using commercial flights. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) highlighted the significant budget allocations for the presidential fleet and questioned the fleet’s management. He stressed that the security and dignity of the president and vice president should not be compromised. House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the president’s security should not be entrusted to commercial airlines. He urged that nothing be taken for granted regarding the safety of the country’s leaders.
Proceeding with the Investigation
Following the debate, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu directed Mr Satomi to proceed with the investigation into the presidential fleet’s management and the recent aircraft breakdowns. The investigation aims to ensure the safety and reliability of the fleet for the president, vice president, and other high-ranking officials.
Presidential Fleet Overview
In 2015, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration pledged to reduce the number of aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan. The fleet then comprised ten aircraft, including two each of Augusta 149, Augusta 101, and Falcon 7X, as well as one each of HS 4000, G500, G550, and 737 BJJ series. Efforts were made to sell two aircraft—a Falcon 7X executive jet and a Hawker 4000—to cut costs and streamline the fleet. The current investigation will assess the management of these aircraft and the implications of their maintenance issues on national security and the effective functioning of the presidency.
