Presidential jet: ‘Do you want Tinubu dead like Malawi VP and Iran President?,’ Bayo Onanuga tackles Peter Obi

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has berated a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi over his comments on the proposed purchase of a new presidential aircraft.

Recently, the house of representatives committee on national security and intelligence asked the federal government to purchase new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The committee’s recommendation was contained in a report released after an investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

On Monday, Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, faulted the proposal, saying it highlights the disconnect between the government and the people.

Obi said the proposal is unacceptable, adding that there is need for a more compassionate use of resources and prioritising citizens’ welfare.

Speaking with Punch, Onanuga said the purchase of another aircraft is a necessity.

He added that the proposal is a “basic thing any sane government will do” because it cannot toy with the president’s welfare.

“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,” Onanuga said.

“The plane he used now, I learnt, was bought during (former President) Obasanjo’s era. That was over 20 years ago and I learnt it was a very small plane.

“The plane developed a problem the last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia. The President had to go from there to the UK on a commercial airline. Even those managing them said the aircraft needed to be replaced.”

NewsClick Nigeria reports that Malawian President, Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday June 11 announced that the wreckage of a plane carrying his Vice, Saulos Klaus Chilima had been found with no survivors. The tragic event is coming barely a month after Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, died in an helicopter crash.

On May 20 2024, world leaders joined Iranians in mourning Raisi, whose helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountain.

The late 63-year-old president, his foreign minister and seven others died when the aircraft went down in a remote area of northwestern Iran, where the wreckage was only found on Monday morning.

They were all confirmed dead by state authorities.