Reduce presidential fleet rather than demolishing 200 houses – Nigerian president told

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections has called out President Bola Tinubu's administration over the demolition of about 200 houses in Nuwalege community in Abuja, to make way for the Presidential Fleet

According to SaharaReporters, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced processes to relocate the inhabitants of the Nuwalege Community, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, to accommodate the expansion of the plot allocated for the presidential fleet.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, gave the directive for the Department of Development Control, to engage community leaders, where at least 200 houses will be affected by the planned expansion.

Reacting to the planned demolition for the expansion of the Presidential Fleet, Obi said that the government’s preoccupation should be how to do away with the Presidential Fleet or reduce it to the minimum to cut costs and save up for more critical projects to help Nigerians, instead of demolishing people's homes.

The former Governor of Anambra State said that no nation grows or develops by subjecting the people to avoidable inconveniences to accommodate the luxurious excesses of its rulers.

In a series of posts on his X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Obi said, “I am shocked by the recent report of the planned demolition of about 200 houses in the Nuwalege community in Abuja, to make way for the Presidential Fleet.

“I am again pained that we are embarking on such an inconsiderate project at this critical time when the country is going through untold hardship.

“I would like to reiterate that at this time, our preoccupation should be how to do away with the Presidential Fleet, or reduce it to the minimum, to cut costs and save up for more critical projects to help the people, instead of demolishing people's homes.

“A country where the World Bank announced that over 100 million citizens are being pushed into poverty, should not at this time be sending hundreds of people into homelessness to accommodate the Presidential fleet of luxury aircraft.

“We need to focus instead on how to lessen the pain and suffering of poor people. We cannot continue to encourage those who have kept us suffering to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle far beyond our legitimate means.

“A democratically elected people-oriented government must always care for the people, above itself. I, therefore, advise that we have a rethink, and most importantly, ensure that our fellow Nigerians are not rendered homeless for the sake of an unproductive presidential fleet.

“We should rather focus on helping the people and developing our critical sectors for the sake of our national peace, progress, and development.

“No nation grows or develops by subjecting the people to avoidable inconveniences to accommodate the luxurious excesses of its rulers.”