Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District, has revealed that the National Assembly was not consulted before the controversial purchase of a new presidential jet.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Abaribe stated, “Nobody, quote me, nobody brought anything to the National Assembly to say, ‘please approve this for the purchase of a new plane.’” He further clarified that he had not seen any official request or documentation regarding the acquisition.

The controversy stems from the unveiling of an Airbus A330 for President Bola Tinubu in August, which sparked criticism from Nigerians. Many viewed the move as prioritizing luxury amid the nation’s economic challenges. The Presidency defended the purchase, with spokesperson Bayo Onanuga describing the aircraft as a “refurbished jet,” not a brand-new purchase.

Critics also targeted National Assembly members, accusing them of being rubber stamps for the executive. However, Senator Abaribe countered these allegations, emphasizing that the legislative body had no role in approving the jet purchase.

He expressed concern about the public perception of lawmakers as complacent, attributing it to their cooperative stance with the executive after limited success in previous confrontations. Abaribe stressed the importance of legislative oversight and called for a more robust system to check executive actions.

The lack of consultation, according to Abaribe, underscores inefficiencies in legislative oversight, which he believes undermines their role as a check on executive power.