Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to acquire a new presidential jet, describing it as a “failure in leadership” given the widespread hunger and hardship currently affecting many Nigerians.
The presidency recently announced the purchase of a new Airbus A330, which is set to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 acquired during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The move has sparked outrage, with Duke being one of the prominent voices condemning the decision.
Speaking on the Channels TV programme Inside Sources on Friday, Duke expressed his dismay, stating, “There is no glamour in saying your people are going through hard times; it is a failure of your leadership.
If I am the head of a family, I want my family to have everything. I don’t want life to be difficult for them.
If life is difficult, then I feel I have failed to provide for them or do the things I ought to have done.”
He urged President Tinubu to view the Nigerian populace as his family, emphasizing that the welfare of the people should take precedence over luxury acquisitions.
“Buying a new aircraft or yacht or living large is a failure. You can’t have kids who are hungry, and you are living lavishly, going to parties, and wearing the biggest agbada,” Duke remarked.
Beyond the jet purchase, Duke also touched on the pressing security challenges facing the nation.
He called on President Tinubu to hold the heads of security agencies accountable, insisting that there must be consequences for poor performance in safeguarding the country.
“Hold the security agencies responsible for a failure of security. There should be consequences.
You cannot sit down and say you are a DPO, commissioner of police, or you are GOC and crime is being committed in your domain. Hold them responsible,” he stated emphatically.
Duke further urged the President to tackle the nation’s economic woes by exploring local solutions rather than relying solely on external advice.
“The IMF or the World Bank would not give you those textbook solutions. It has to be an indigenous solution to our problems,” he said, stressing the need for homegrown strategies to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Duke’s critique reflects growing discontent among Nigerians who are grappling with economic difficulties while witnessing decisions that appear disconnected from their daily struggles.
His comments add to the mounting pressure on the Tinubu administration to prioritize the needs of the people over perceived extravagance.
