Barely two months after the Presidential Air Fleet, PAF, hovered into controversy over the decision of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence to purchase two new aircraft, it has come to light that Federal Government followed through with the procurement.

A legal dispute between Ogun State and Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng, revealed that despite intense opposition, a N150 billion Airbus A330 was acquired for the PAF, which already has two Falcon 7X jet, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulfstream G550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One) and Gulfstream IVSP, Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 and Hawk Siddeley 125-800 jet.

Last Thursday, stories emerged that three aircraft from the Nigerian presidential fleet – a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737 and a newly acquired Airbus A330 – were grounded in France and Switzerland due to a court order during routine maintenance.

This development was weeks after the House of Representatives Committee, in a report released after its technical subcommittee assessed the status and airworthiness of the PAF, recommended the addition of two new planes.

The recommendation for a new presidential jet came after President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima had different distressing experiences using…

Recently, the President had to continue his journey in a commercial plane when two presidential jets broke down simultaneously.

Also on May 7, 2024, Shettima had to shelve a trip to the United States, US, for the US-Africa Business Summit when the presidential jet he was scheduled to travel in developed a fault one hour after take-off.

How Controversies Trailed Aircraft Purchase

In June, however, the arrangements to execute the planned purchase was met with stiff opposition, leading to its secret acquisition.

Among those who voiced concerns about the development was the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

Obi, who faulted the move on X, formerly Twitter, had described it as insensitive, arguing that it was unfortunate that at a time when the country was making headlines over the economic crisis, occasioned by hyperinflation, a falling currency and widespread poverty, the FG was contemplating securing new presidential jets.

“This demonstrates extreme insensitivity to citizens’ struggles. With rising insecurity, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, this decision highlights the disconnect that is apparent between the government and the people. It is unacceptable as the situation in the country today more than ever demands a more compassionate use of resources, prioritising citizens’ welfare.

“It is on record that our presidential jets have an average age of 12 years, purchased when most Nigerians could afford necessities. Now, as our country faces significant challenges, including a high debt profile, our citizens are in even greater need. Instead of adding to our luxuries, we should be focused on alleviating their suffering and finding solutions to their problems,” Obi stated.

Countering him, the Presidency also described Obi’s comment as insensitive to the President’s safety, wondering if he wanted Tinubu to die by flying in a faulty plane.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had asked: “Does Peter Obi want the President dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us.”

Similarly, a faith-based group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, which also defended the procurement called the aircraft in PAF ‘flying Molue buses’, saying opponents of the move to procure new aircraft were endangering Tinubu’s life.

A statement by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said: “As far as Obi and other irrational critics are concerned, they wish what happened to the Iranian President Raisi recently and the Malawian Vice President last week should happen in Nigeria. God forbid!

“How many times do we have to drum it into 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. The old jets can be sold to reduce the cost of new ones. We have had enough of the President and Vice President flying ‘Molue’ buses’.”

What do experts say?

Commenting on the aircraft purchase and seizure, former President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Mr Sheri Kyari, decried Nigeria’s consistency for dishonouring contracts.

Kyari said: “These types of things are not rocket science, the other people do it in other countries and they successfully achieve them. Why will Nigeria be the only one every now and then? This thing started even way back with Nigeria Airways aircraft and sometimes for issues that Nigeria Airways knew nothing about. I think our country needs to wake up because our resources are dwindling, our population is increasing, yet we find ourselves only concerned about personal aggrandizement.

“It is very sad. How often do the offices charged with reviewing these contracts do so? How often are they reviewed? How often? We just sign once and people go back. Everybody goes to sleep, we get caught up with it and at the end of the day are unable to get ourselves out of it. It’s very sad.”

Adequate maintenance

Kyari noted that rather than purchase a new aircraft to add to the PAF, the old aircraft could have served its purpose by adequate maintenance.

He said: “All I know Is the aircraft the President was using is an aircraft that can be maintained. It is probably ten times cheaper to maintain. Nigeria is a poor country behaving like a rich country. Because we want to be seen as a big boy in international politics, we decided that the President must have a wonderful aircraft. I don’t know how we will get out of it, but it is totally sad that we found ourselves in this quagmire this time around,” arguing that the Airbus A330 could have been bought for a lesser price.

Cheaper price

Kyari added: “It is a presidential aircraft. You can get the aircraft for less. But again, when they begin to furnish it for presidential use, security and others that will be added, they are not cheap as such. The president will have his bathroom, his bedroom, his conference and office on board the aircraft. So, those ones are going to be reconstructed as such. And they will be done with the best of materials. So, that alone, you can look at furnishing and can take some $5 to $10 million or more depending on what they want to add.

Lifespan

“There are times the manufacturer will give you 15 years for an economic commercial aircraft. If it is a commercial aircraft, the manufacturer will give you 10 years within which they believe you would have scooped your profit. And when you start maintenance now, it becomes very expensive. But presidential aircraft like this, you don’t need to have any time for it. If it is well maintained, it can be operated for up to 30 years. One of the American Nav 1 aircraft is more than 25 years old now.

“But it is constantly being maintained, knowing that it is their number one citizen that is flying. Here in Nigeria, whether the aircraft is good or not, you will get to the point where it is economically not viable. Rather, they sell it to somebody who they want. But you will be surprised that somebody who comes from outside the country and buys that same aircraft will operate it for many more years.”

Funds

Shedding light, Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, Group Captain John Ojikutu, retd, wondered who provided funding for the aircraft’s purchase.

Ojikutu, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said liquidated Nigeria Airways had similar experience in the past.

He said: “Who approved that money for the jet? Was it approved by the National Assembly? From what I have heard, the National Assembly did not approve that money. That is number one. Second, I heard that they seized those aircraft because Ogun State negated the agreement between them and the Chinese.

“Now, can they do that? I don’t know the court to which they went. Can they take something from the federal government and give it to the state? I don’t know. The judgment they have given is against the state government for negating on the agreement they had with the Chinese. There is something wrong and the people in the administration of government, which include the National Assembly, are not saying anything. This has happened to Nigeria Airways before. Some of them (the jets) must have been there before this crisis started for maintenance. They must have been in that place for maintenance.”

Price

On his part, an industry expert, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard under anonymity, explained that creditors always desired to seize aircraft when they operate into a territory where they know the law was favourable to them.

“Most new aircraft sold from a manufacturer would have a list price, but almost no airline pays that amount. Big airlines get huge discounts when they purchase in bulk (100s) while smaller airlines do still get discounts they are much smaller. Regarding the Nigerian government aircraft, these are no longer new and won’t or shouldn’t command those kinds of figures ($100m).

“When new, a Boeing 737 will cost about $60m depending on configuration and options chosen while the A330 could be up to $100m, but remember that it wasn’t purchased new so the price would be anywhere between $30m and $50m. Considering corruption in Nigeria, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone claims it was purchased for $100m and the difference went into someone’s pocket.

“Creditors always look to hold or seize aircraft when they operate into a territory where they know the law is on their side. So, if they can convince a French court that the owners of the aircraft are indebted to them, then the court can order the assets held.” (Sunday Vanguard)

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