The Senate has called an emergency session to review President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s supplementary budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which includes funding for a new presidential jet.
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Despite having commenced their recess last week, with a scheduled return on July 2, 2024, both the Senate and House of Representatives have reconvened for this urgent matter.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, announced on Wednesday that the Senate would hold a plenary session on Thursday to address various pressing issues, including appropriations.
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Adaramodu stated, “We are resuming from the Sallah break as part of our statutory duties. The Senate has the constitutional authority to regulate its sessions, and we believe utilizing an additional legislative day is crucial to address national and constitutional matters. This decision was made to advance our oversight on appropriations and address outstanding constitutional and electoral issues, as well as bills and motions, before our annual recess later this year.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied reports that the Senate had approved the purchase of new presidential jets, labeling such claims as malicious.
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He clarified that he had not stated the National Assembly would approve new aircraft for the President and Vice President regardless of the country’s economic challenges.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence had previously recommended new aircraft for the President and Vice President, citing safety concerns with the current presidential fleet.
It is worth noting that the presidency had recently listed three presidential jets for sale.
