“Inhuman and Satanic”, Opposition Parties Slam FG’s N55bn 2025 Budget Allocation for Presidential Fleet Maintenance

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Nigerian government’s proposed allocation of N55bn for the maintenance of the presidential fleet in the 2025 budget has sparked outrage among opposition parties and citizens.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have strongly condemned the move, citing the country’s economic hardship and the perceived misplaced priority on maintaining luxury aircraft.

The allocation includes funds for overhauling three aircraft engines, fuel, fumigation, air navigation, and other maintenance costs, as well as significant sums for air navigational equipment repairs, aircraft fuel, and security operations.

The government should prioritize addressing pressing issues like poverty and inequality, rather than splurging on luxury items

Critics argue that the government should prioritize addressing pressing issues like poverty and inequality, rather than splurging on luxury items. The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, described the expenditure as “inhuman and satanic,” while the PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, questioned the government’s sense of priority. Civil society representatives, like Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, have also joined the chorus of criticism, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the government’s spending decisions.

It as a “national shame” and a testament to the government’s insensitivity to the plight of its citizens

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration and disappointment with the government’s allocation, with some describing it as a “national shame” and a testament to the government’s insensitivity to the plight of its citizens. Others have pointed out that the amount allocated for the presidential fleet maintenance could be better spent on addressing the country’s numerous developmental challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and infrastructure decay.

As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the criticism and whether it will reconsider its spending priorities in the 2025 budget.