Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, has clarified that no formal request was made to the legislature for the approval of the new presidential jet purchased for President Bola Tinubu.
The controversy surrounding the purchase of a new Airbus A330 by the Presidency in August has sparked significant public outcry, with many Nigerians criticizing the acquisition amidst ongoing economic struggles.
In response, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the purchase, stating that the jet was a “refurbished” aircraft, not a new one as initially reported.
The National Assembly also came under fire, with some accusing its members of being rubber-stamp legislators who unquestioningly approved the President’s request.
However, Senator Abaribe, appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, insisted that no such request had been brought before the lawmakers.
“I am in the National Assembly, but I can assure you, nobody, and I mean nobody, brought anything to the National Assembly asking for approval to purchase a new plane. I was never presented with any document, and I’ve always been in the National Assembly. Ask anyone, they will confirm.”
Abaribe emphasized that the failure to involve the legislature in the approval process undermines its role in providing checks and balances on the executive branch.
He expressed concern about the perception of lawmakers as mere rubber-stamps, a view he believes has emerged due to the lack of significant progress on issues important to the public.
The senator acknowledged that National Assembly members often feel disillusioned after years of efforts yielding little, which has led to a more cooperative stance with the executive.
However, he stressed that this does not justify bypassing the proper channels for oversight and accountability.
