Is this what “E mi lokan” truly means? Squandering billions of public funds to indulge President Bola Tinubu’s appetite for luxury while millions of Nigerians suffer under the economic hardship his administration has brought upon them?
Last week, amidst reports of Chinese companies seizing Nigeria’s valuable national assets abroad over defaults in contract agreements, and worsening living conditions, an Airbus A330 aircraft, costing $150 million and reported to be the new presidential jet, made a bold landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The week before, it was reported that the presidency had taken delivery of a fully-optioned Cadillac Escalade, worth about $500,000. When you add the presidential yacht purchased last year for around N6 billion, it becomes evident that Tinubu, who has repeatedly asked Nigerians to endure his harsh economic measures, shows no intention of curbing his indulgence, despite preaching austerity to the public. His message to Nigerians questioning this extravagance seems clear: whether in the air, on land, or at sea, he will not be denied his desire to live lavishly at the expense of the nation. After all, as he told us during the elections, he bought his “E mi lokan” (It's my turn) with his own money. If Nigerians cannot understand that this is what his presidency is about, they can, as far as he is concerned, take a running jump off a cliff.
But while Tinubu’s bluntness on this issue might be appreciated, what is truly galling is the clumsy, unsophisticated, and ignorant attempts by some of his aides to justify these purchases. The most common defense is that, despite the dire economic situation, the president should not be deprived of the means for decent and safe air travel, fitting for Nigeria’s status in Africa and the world. This suggests that the planes already in the presidential fleet are not suitable for the president's use and should be mothballed.
One presidential aide even displayed his ignorance by claiming that the purchase of the A330 jet will save the country money in maintenance costs because it is relatively newer than the others in the fleet, which have been consuming significant funds due to their age. However, had the aide done proper research, he would have realized that a plane's condition depends on its maintenance, not necessarily its age. Regardless of age, all planes must undergo mandatory checks like the C and D checks when due, whether the aircraft has been used or not, and these checks involve significant costs. Moreover, if the A330 is operated by a foreign crew, the costs will not be substantially lower, if at all. Therefore, claiming that the new presidential jet will reduce maintenance costs is either ignorance, deception, or both.
Another influencer, aligned with the administration, defended the purchase by comparing Nigeria’s situation to that of the United States, noting that a new plane for the U.S. president costs around $4 billion, so Nigerians should not complain about the $150 million spent on Tinubu’s A330. However, many Nigerians see this as comparing apples to oranges, as Nigeria and the U.S. are not comparable by any measure.
When we consider the billions allocated for renovating Dodan Barracks in Lagos into a luxurious residence, as well as the Vice President’s residences in Lagos and Abuja, it becomes clear that the Tinubu administration is engaged in a contradictory and cynical deception regarding its calls for Nigerians to endure the harsh economic policies.
What is evident from all this, and what Nigerians must come to terms with, is that Tinubu assumed power with a mission to build and consolidate a personal economic and political monopoly, making all Nigerians beholden to him. This aligns with his “E mi lokan” declaration, which is unfolding before our eyes. Nigerians should not expect Tinubu to deny himself the luxuries and perks of the presidency he fought so long to attain.
Likewise, Nigerians should not expect any relief from the prevailing economic hardship, as the resources needed to develop education, healthcare, and other essential services will be diverted to build the economic and political empire Tinubu has long coveted. Nigerians must accept this as a fait accompli because it is Tinubu’s time to fulfill his destiny, and he will pursue it with ruthless determination, whether Nigerians like it or not. The only relief they can expect are the paltry “palliatives” thrown their way periodically when they cry out.
** Gadu can be reached via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 08035355706 (Texts only)
