Buhari Approved Presidential Jet For Daughter Hanan – Presidency Replies Critics

The presidency has reacted to the criticisms trailing the use of a presidential jet by President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan Buhari, to a private function in Bauchi State. 

THE WHISTLER earlier reported that photos of Hanan disembarking from the presidential jet had flooded social media with some Nigerians criticising Buhari for allegedly failing to keep to his campaign promise to reduce the cost of governance under his administration. 

The president’s daughter was said to have flown the presidential jet to attended the Durbar cultural event specially  organised for her to take some photographs on Thursday. 

One of the critics on twitter (@FocusVicky), lamented that “It’s a sad thing and highest level of corruption that  Hanan Buhari should turn presidency jet to Uber,” adding that “this jet that poor masses tax is used to fuel. This issue needs to be looked into, it’s corruption on the side of @MBuhari.”

But responding to the criticisms on Saturday, Buhari’s special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, defended Hanan, saying the president approved her use of the jet and that the National Security Adviser (NSA) was also aware of it.

Shehu also noted that the president’s wife and children have the right to use the presidential jet whenever they please. 

“It’s true that a member of the First Family was flown to Bauchi yesterday on a mission duly authorised. It wasn’t an impromptu or improper trip because it followed normal procedure. The Presidency informed the National Security Adviser of the mission who in turn informed the Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet,” Shehu told Punch.

“The normal practice in existence for a long time is that the Presidential Air fleet is available to the President and the first family and four others. These four are the Vice President, the Senate President the Speaker and any other person(s) authorised by the President.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the 2015 presidential elections, Buhari had promised to “work with the leadership of Nationally Assembly to cut down the cost of governance.”

The appropriation of N8.5 billion for the servicing of the presidential fleet in the 2020 budget had been criticised by Nigerians.