‘Get New Aircraft, Shettima’s Life In Danger’ – Borno Speaker Tells FG

Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, has said the life of Vice President Kashim Shettima is in danger over what he said is the “faulty” presidential aircraft he uses for official engagements.

He said to avoid any tragedy, the government as a matter of urgency just get a new aircraft for the vice president.

The vice president, like the president, Bola Tinubu uses an aircraft allocated to him from the presidential fleet.

Nigeria has over 10 aircraft with one recently acquired for over $200m, which the president uses.

The speaker in a statement on Sunday was reacting to the reports that Shettima cancelled his trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa over what the presidency said was a fairy aircraft at the New York airport in the United States.

The Special Adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who broke the news of the incident said some parts of the aircraft, including the windscreen of the cockpit, was damaged.

The speaker, who comes from the same state as Shettima, urged the Federal Government to get Shettima a new aircraft to avoid any tragedy.

He said the aircraft designated to the Vice President has had several incidents in recent times.

“I want to sympathise 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,” he said.

He added, “I also express my gratitude to Allah (God) for saving the precious life of our dear Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and those on board the ill- fated VP’s plane, even as I urge the Nigerian government to demand a thorough and timely investigation from the United States government over the incident that affected Vice President Kashim Shettima’s plane at one of the most secure spots in the World.

“The life of the Vice President, and that of his crew/officials stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft.

“Therefore, there is the urgent need to acquire a new aircraft to Senator Kashim Shettima so as to avoid these recurrence of air mishaps,” he said.