The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic group, has leveled stern accusations against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, and others opposed to procuring new presidential jets.
MURIC alleges that their opposition stems not from concerns over Nigeria’s economic situation or the common man’s interests but from a desire to “bring disaster” upon President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s administration.
In a statement released on Tuesday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, declared, “We have no iota of doubt that Peter Obi is shedding crocodile tears. His interest is not the improvement of Nigeria’s economic situation or that of the common man but to bring disaster to the presidency. Peter Obi nurses evil intentions.”
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Akintola painted Obi as a “bitter politician” and “bad loser” unable to accept his defeat in the 2023 presidential elections.
The statement read, “Obi is a Trumpist. He will go to any length to bring disaster to his perceived political enemies,” The controversy surrounding the procurement of new presidential jets has gained traction in recent weeks. Proponents argue that the current aircraft in the presidential air fleet are outdated, posing potential safety risks and breakdowns during crucial trips.
MURIC cited instances where President Tinubu had to continue his journey on a commercial plane after two presidential jets broke down simultaneously, and Vice President Shettima had to cancel a trip to the United States due to a fault in the presidential jet an hour after takeoff on May 7, 2024.
“How many times do we have to drum it to the ears of this far right, ultra nationalist opposition cartel that the presidential jets are already worn out? They have become rickety, risky and unserviceable. They have broken down so many times during trips,” the group asserted.
MURIC contends that acquiring new presidential jets would ultimately benefit Nigerians by enabling the president and vice president to fulfill international obligations and attend events, thereby instilling confidence in the safety of investments in Nigeria.
“With new presidential jets, humongous economic benefits await Nigerians as the president and his vice will be able to honour international obligations and events thereby attracting confidence in the safety of investments in Nigeria,” the statement added..
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Furthermore, the group clarified that the presidential jets are not solely for the use of the president and vice president but are also utilized by “the least expected and the lowest of the citizenry, particularly in times of crisis.”
MURIC urged the National Assembly to disregard “the rantings of Peter Obi and his co-travellers” and proceed with the acquisition of new presidential jets to “avoid a national calamity.” The group suggested selling the old jets to offset the cost of the new ones, saying, “We have had enough of president and vice president in flying ‘molue’ buses.”
