The seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets in France is “embarrassing” and exposes the country’s “failed leadership”, opposition figure Peter Obi has said.
Mr Obi, who leads the Labour Party, criticised the government’s handling of the affair in a statement on social media.
The jets were seized after a French court ruled in favour of a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, in a dispute with Nigeria’s Ogun State.
Mr Obi said the incident revealed “multiple dimensions to our leadership failure”.
He questioned why the federal government proceeded with purchasing a presidential jet despite public outcry over economic hardship in the country.
“Paying as much as $100m for a presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the world and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings,” Mr Obi said.
The Labour Party leader also raised concerns about transparency, stating that Nigerians had “no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft” until the French court’s ruling.
“Federal government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset,” he added.
The dispute stems from a 2007 contract between Zhongshan and Ogun State to manage a free-trade zone. The state government revoked the contract in 2015, leading to arbitration.
An independent tribunal awarded Zhongshan about $74.5m (£58.8m) in compensation, which Ogun State reportedly refused to pay.
When the news of the jets to be sold by the Nigerian govt got to the Chinese company, it quickly asked their govt to seized the planes pending when they get their compensation.
However Mr Obi called on the government to provide a full explanation of the situation, asking: “To what extent did the Ogun government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm?”
He also questioned what actions were taken by both Ogun State and the federal government following a UK court ruling that reportedly prohibited some Nigerian buildings in Liverpool.
The Nigerian government has responded to the seizure, accusing the Chinese firm of attempting to take over its assets through “subterfuge”.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga insisted that the federal government “is not under any contractual obligation with the company”.
