Borno Speaker Raises Alarm Over Vice President Shettima's Safety Due to Faulty Presidential Aircraft
By Wisdom Tide
October 27, 2024
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasizing that continued reliance on a “faulty” presidential aircraft for international travel poses a serious risk.
Safety Concerns Over the Presidential Aircraft
Speaker Lawan’s statement follows Vice President Shettima’s recent decision to cancel his attendance at the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa. This abrupt cancellation was prompted by an incident at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York, where the presidential aircraft sustained significant damage after colliding with a foreign object during a layover.
Highlighting the repeated issues with the aircraft, Lawan warned that such incidents endanger the Vice President and raise serious questions about the reliability of the current transportation provided to high-level officials.
Incident Details and Immediate Repercussions
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, the aircraft sustained damage to its windscreen and other critical components. These damages rendered the aircraft inoperable, forcing the Vice President to cancel his travel plans and raising immediate concerns about the safety and functionality of the presidential fleet.
Urgent Appeal for New Aircraft Procurement
In a statement from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Lawan urgently appealed to the Federal Government to consider the acquisition of a new aircraft for Vice President Shettima. He cited multiple incidents involving the current plane, which he argued compromises the Vice President’s safety. Lawan expressed deep sympathy with the Vice President, his crew, and all affected staff, while underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures.
"I want to sympathize with the Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice President, his crew, and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport in New York, U.S.A. I also express my gratitude to Allah for sparing the precious life of our dear Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and those on board," Lawan stated.
Call for Thorough Investigation and Preventive Measures
In addition to advocating for a new aircraft, Lawan called upon the Nigerian government to request a comprehensive investigation by the United States authorities into the incident at JFK Airport. Stressing that the Vice President’s life and those of his officials are at stake, he urged that measures be taken to prevent any future recurrence.
"The life of the Vice President and that of his crew and officials stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft," Lawan continued. "There is an urgent need to acquire a new aircraft for Senator Kashim Shettima to prevent these recurring air mishaps."
With mounting safety concerns, the Speaker’s plea reflects a broader call for the Federal Government to prioritize the security and reliability of the transport options available to Nigeria’s top officials
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