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Reps not Akpabio proposed Presidential Jet, RUN tells Nigerians
Amidst the controversy surrounding the purchase of new Presidential Jets, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), a frontline civil rights group has described as misleading and frivolous, insinuations that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio pushed for the purchase of the new aircrafts.
The National Coordinator of RUN, Amb. Solomon Adodo stated this while appearing as a guest on a live interview on Radio Nigeria Network news in Abuja.
According to Amb. Solomon Adodo, “contrary to insinuations that the Senate President pushed for the planned purchase of the Presidential jets, it was actually the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence that recommended the purchase after an investigation into the status of the Presidential fleet.
“The Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence only ratified it after conducting its own investigation and agreeing to the necessity of new aircrafts to avert a national disaster with national security implications”.
While emphasizing that the purchase of the aircrafts is a matter of necessity and not an idea from the Senate President as naysayers are alleging, Amb. Adodo maintained that, Nigeria cannot afford to jeopardize its national security by running old aircrafts for the Presidential fleet considering the recent tragic loss of world leaders.
“The tragic loss of the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi in a crash that was complicated by mechanical faults and bad weather as well as the loss of the Vice President of Malawi, Saulos Chilima should worry every well-meaning Nigerian. Instead of pointing accusing fingers, we should be united in pushing for the purchase of new aircrafts for the Presidential fleet.
“In other climes, citizens would have protested and demanded for the replacement of the Presidential fleet following the near disaster that befell Vice President Yemi Osibanjo in Kogi State few years ago aboard one of the dilapidated aircrafts of a private company due to the unavailability of a serviceable aircraft on the President fleet. Rather than throwing jabs at individuals for what is long overdue”, he added.
He described those behind the coordinated falsehood and allegations as “enemies of Nigeria who are bent on pitching the Executive against the Legislature, considering the harmonious relationship that has existed between them in the past one year.
“If there is need for new aircrafts as has been recommended, nobody can blackmail the Senate President into shirking his constitutional duties. As a progressive, the Senate President has always stood with the masses and always do things in the overall interest of the nation. He deserves a pat on the back and not unsavoury attacks”.
RUN firmly urged the Senate President not to be deterred by the opinions of a few misguided persons and go ahead to approve the planned purchase of the Presidential jets “in the best interest of the nation as Nigeria cannot afford to be amongst the list of nations that have lost their heads of states and governments as a result of air accidents”.
By Fabian Apechihin
The 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill has moved to the state level following its consideration by the National Assembly, paving the way for state legislatures to consider the proposed amendments.
The development comes amid renewed attention on constitutional reform and ongoing discussions over proposed changes to Nigeria’s governing framework.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations surrounding borrowing by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
House spokesperson Akin Rotimi Agbese, speaking in an interview with Channels Television, rejected claims that Wike had undertaken borrowing without the knowledge or approval of the National Assembly.
Agbese said the FCT minister could not independently create a sovereign borrowing obligation, stressing that public borrowing is subject to constitutional, statutory and administrative procedures.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the National Assembly,” Agbese said.
He explained that borrowing to finance infrastructure was not unlawful where the required approvals and procedures had been followed.
“Borrowing for infrastructure development is not unlawful in itself, provided the prescribed approvals and procedures are followed,” he added.
The House spokesperson further argued that an increase in the FCT’s debt profile should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of illegal borrowing, citing the scale of infrastructure projects being undertaken in Abuja under Wike.
According to Agbese, the key issue is whether the appropriate approvals were obtained for specific borrowing transactions, rather than simply whether the FCT’s overall debt profile has increased.
The comments come as scrutiny continues over public borrowing, infrastructure financing and the legal procedures governing government debt at both the federal and sub-national levels.
By Fabian Apechihin
The 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill has moved to the state level following its consideration by the National Assembly, paving the way for state legislatures to consider the proposed amendments.
The development comes amid renewed attention on constitutional reform and ongoing discussions over proposed changes to Nigeria’s governing framework.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations surrounding borrowing by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
House spokesperson Akin Rotimi Agbese, speaking in an interview with Channels Television, rejected claims that Wike had undertaken borrowing without the knowledge or approval of the National Assembly.
Agbese said the FCT minister could not independently create a sovereign borrowing obligation, stressing that public borrowing is subject to constitutional, statutory and administrative procedures.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the National Assembly,” Agbese said.
He explained that borrowing to finance infrastructure was not unlawful where the required approvals and procedures had been followed.
“Borrowing for infrastructure development is not unlawful in itself, provided the prescribed approvals and procedures are followed,” he added.
The House spokesperson further argued that an increase in the FCT’s debt profile should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of illegal borrowing, citing the scale of infrastructure projects being undertaken in Abuja under Wike.
According to Agbese, the key issue is whether the appropriate approvals were obtained for specific borrowing transactions, rather than simply whether the FCT’s overall debt profile has increased.
The comments come as scrutiny continues over public borrowing, infrastructure financing and the legal procedures governing government debt at both the federal and sub-national levels.
By Fabian Apechihin
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its intention to contest the 2027 presidential election despite the decision of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The party said Wike’s decision was personal and did not alter its position to participate in the presidential election with its candidate, Senator Sandy Onor. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, made the clarification on Wednesday.
According to the party, a recent conversation between Wike and Onor should not be interpreted as a political negotiation between the minister and the PDP.
“He told Nigerians that Sandy is his friend. And they only had a friendly discussion within the umbrella of friendship. So, that is just a personal discussion between him and his friend,” Mohammed said.
He added that Wike’s support for Tinubu did not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for the presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
Wike had earlier clarified that his support in 2027 was specifically for Tinubu’s presidential re-election and did not amount to an agreement that the PDP would withdraw from other electoral contests. He also said he never promised that the PDP would abandon its candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
“I said I will support the President from day one. I never told Mr President I will join APC,” Wike said.
The minister also maintained that his proposed Rainbow Coalition was not an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC), but rather a platform through which politicians from different parties could mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.
The issue has generated disagreement with some APC governors, who have expressed concern about a political arrangement that could affect the party’s candidates at other levels.
APC Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman, Hope Uzodinma, said the governors would not support any alliance or arrangement that could weaken the APC or adversely affect its candidates.
Meanwhile, APC presidential campaign council spokesperson Ima Niboro has urged Wike and APC governors to end their public exchanges and concentrate on political mobilisation.
“When I said tone down the rhetoric, I do not mean stop working. Stop talking, go and work,” Niboro said.
He urged political leaders to strengthen their grassroots structures and engage directly with voters rather than continue exchanging statements in the media.
“All this shouting is not taking anybody anywhere. Go and work. Go and establish your authority on your political base,” he said.
2026 Constitution Amendment Bill Moves to States
2026 Constitution Amendment Bill Moves to States
2027: PDP Insists on Presidential Contest Despite Wike’s Support for Tinubu
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