Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that the Senate will approve funds for the purchase of a new presidential jet if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submits a request. 

Speaking during Thursday’s plenary session, Akpabio noted that he’s yet to receive a formal request from the President seeking the Senate’s approval for such a purchase.

Akpabio who spoke after a closed-door meeting with senators that lasted about an hour said; 

“We will approve things that would improve the living standard of the people. At the same time, we will also take cognizance of the duties of the president.

“If his vehicle is bad, we will repair the vehicle. If his plane is bad, we will approve money for the repair of the plane. So that is not an issue. There is nothing before us. I don’t think you should worry about it.

“I read the president’s correspondence to us. Nothing was touching on a plane or no plane, but I can tell you that when you hear stories such as the death of the vice president of Malawi as a result of a defective plane, and then you hear the death of the president of Iran as a result of defective aircraft, we shouldn’t ever sit and allow such to be at the ocean.

“It wouldn’t be. The Senate is very responsible. The National Assembly is very responsible. We will look into issues that will benefit the governance of the country.

“Irrespective of anticipatory blackmail, because those people know very well that something like that might come in the future. And if it’s a necessity, the Senate will look into it. But there is nothing like that before us now.

“There is nothing before us. But the purveyors of the story know that there is a problem with the presidential fleet.”

The senators had interrupted their recess, originally scheduled to end on July 2, 2024, to return for an emergency session. The purpose of this session was to consider a bill amending the 2023 supplementary appropriation act, extending its implementation to December 31, 2024, as requested by President Tinubu.