Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South senatorial district, has stated emphatically that the National Assembly was not consulted before the purchase of the recently unveiled presidential jet.
Abaribe made this assertion during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday.
The Presidency had unveiled an Airbus A330 in August, sparking public outrage over what many perceived as a misplaced priority amidst widespread economic hardship. Critics accused the government of prioritising luxury while citizens grappled with rising living costs. In response to the backlash, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that the acquisition was not for a brand-new jet but rather a “refurbished” one.
Despite these explanations, members of the National Assembly were criticised for allegedly rubber-stamping executive decisions. However, Senator Abaribe rejected such claims, stating:
“I am in the National Assembly, but I can tell you for a fact that nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the National Assembly to say please approve this for purchase of a new plane. It was done without my knowledge, nobody brought anything. I never saw any document and I have always been in the National Assembly. Ask anyone, none.”
Abaribe expressed concern about the perception of lawmakers as mere extensions of the executive arm. He highlighted the challenges legislators face in maintaining their role as checks on the executive, especially when previous attempts to hold the government accountable have been met with limited success.
He further noted that the lack of consultation undermines the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly, describing the situation as a lapse in proper governance procedures.
“The public sees us as rubber stamps because it feels like lawmakers cooperate too much with the executive. The truth is, we’ve fought a lot in the past, but without much yielding. It’s not that we aren’t trying to hold them accountable,” Abaribe explained.
