Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential contender, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for prioritising luxury acquisitions, including a presidential jet and armoured vehicle, within his first year in office.
Sowore said that Nigeria’s leaders are more focused on indulging their personal whims than tackling the pressing issues affecting the nation’s citizens.
News About Nigeria reports that the human rights activist shared his concerns through a series of posts, highlighting the perceived disconnect between the government’s priorities and the people’s needs.
He added that the president’s actions demonstrate a disregard for the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
According to Sowore: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said one year isn’t enough for Nigerians to enjoy a better country, but look at what he bought for himself in just one year: yacht, jet, bulletproof Escalade, mansion for VP. #RevolutionNow.
“Bola Tinubu finally launched his $150 million presidential jumbo jet on his way to Paris. The only thing that makes these thieving rulers in Nigeria happy is when they fulfill their personal desires; they don’t care about the people.”
This accusation comes amid a contract dispute between the Nigerian government and a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, over the revocation of the company’s export processing zone management contract by the Ogun State Government in 2016.
The Chinese company approached a French court for intervention, leading to an order for the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 7X, an Airbus A330-243, and a Boeing 737-7N6/BBJ belonging to the Nigerian government.
Ruling over the dispute, the French court ordered the seizure of the three jets, but one of the aircraft was later released to the Nigerian government.
This dispute occurred alongside a nationwide protest against the hunger and hardship being experienced in the country.
The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, saw demonstrators demanding that the government improve the economic situation in the country, among other demands.
