The recent seizure of three presidential jets owned by the Nigerian government is still whipping up reactions and Yunusa Tanko, the spokesman for former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has something to say.
In fact, this recent incident has opened Tanko’s mind to so many things.
Tanko’s comments come in the wake of the recent seizure of three jets—a Dassault Falcon 7X, an Airbus A330-243, and a Boeing 737-7N6/BBJ—by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited.
The jets were seized following a French court’s ruling in favor of Zhongshan, which had its export processing zone management contract revoked by the Ogun State Government in 2016.
Now, Tanko is suspicious that the government may be keeping more secret transactions, often for corrupt purposes.
Public Embarrassment
Tanko argued that when these secrets are eventually exposed, it leads to public embarrassment and a scramble to cover up the truth.
Also, he criticised public officials for secretly acquiring assets and engaging in financial transactions without the knowledge or consent of the Nigerian people.
Tanko spoke with DAILY POST on Sunday.
He suggested that there may be many more such cases that Nigerians are unaware of.
He emphasised that those in power often act as if they are not accountable to the people, despite the fact that they hold office in trust of the public.
Also Read: Presidential Jets: FG Accuses Chinese Firm For Seizure Attempts
In his words: “It is clear that most of the people that found themselves in positions of power, do not know or are ignorant that they are holding that office In trust and for the people.
“So they are supposed to be accountable and transparent to the people all the time.
Secret Transactions
“They sign, buy properties and collect loans on behalf of the people without them knowing. The Freedom of Information Act of 2011 gave every Nigerian the right to access information.
“The Nigerian government keeps government transactions secret for corruption purposes and when it gets exposed it becomes embarrassing, they will then start looking for one lie to cover the first one.
“So the government needs to be accountable and transparent to the people with open consultations. It saves the country from a lot of embarrassment like the case of the presidential jets and Ogun State contract.”
