In a series of tweets, Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and a prominent political figure in Nigeria, has strongly condemned the federal government's decision to purchase new presidential jets. Obi's remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with its worst economic crisis, characterized by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty.
In his initial tweet, Obi highlighted the extreme insensitivity of the government's actions given the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians. "At a time when our country is trending on the global media for facing its worst economic crisis, marked by high inflation, a falling currency, and widespread poverty, the government's plan to buy new presidential jets demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens' struggles," he tweeted at 3:05 PM on June 17, 2024. This tweet has since garnered over 338,500 views.
Obi further elaborated on the disconnect between the government and the people, citing rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness as pressing issues that need immediate attention. "With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect between the government and the people. It is unacceptable and demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritizing citizens' welfare," he added.
He noted that the current fleet of presidential jets has an average age of 12 years, which were acquired when Nigerians could afford basic necessities. Obi emphasized that the current economic situation demands a shift in priorities towards alleviating the suffering of the populace. "Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their suffering and finding solutions to their problems. For long, our bad leadership has made our priorities, as leaders, to be at variance to the needs of society, which is why we are headed now south, as a nation," he stated.
Obi also drew a comparison with the United States, noting that despite being the world's largest economy, the US Vice President resides in a historical house valued significantly less than the amount Nigeria is spending on the Vice President's new residence. "Despite dropping down to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $252 billion and a per capita income of $1,080, with huge debt burdens and borrowing to service debts, yet, we are spending $15 million for our Vice President's residence, while the USA, the world's largest economy with a GDP of $25 trillion, about 100 times our GDP, and a per capita income of $80,000, about 80 times ours, still houses their Vice President in Number 1 Observatory Circle, a house built over 100 years ago," Obi pointed out.
He concluded his tweets by urging for a refocus on critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. "It's, therefore, time to stop this impunity, insensitivity, and shamelessness and refocus on the needs of our people. We must prioritize education, healthcare, and lifting our citizens out of poverty," he urged.
Obi's tweets have sparked widespread discussion and have been seen as a call to action for the government to realign its priorities with the pressing needs of the Nigerian people.
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