Presidential Jet: Buhari Has Exhibited a Major Sign of a Tyrant

Hanan Buhari arriving Bauchi

Sociologist, historians and political scientists have identified  certain features of a tyrant and a community under tyranny. 

One of those signs is: Tyrants keep their personal finances secret, and draw no distinction between personal property and public property.

Amidst rising insecurity, poverty, unemployment and corruption, a very important issue for the Presidency of Nigeria is the legality of the president’s daughter traveling in the Presidential jet by herself. Eyebrows were raised after reports of one of Buhari’s daughters, Hanan, traveling to Bauchi state for a private function in the presidential jet made the rounds. 

Being a graduate of photography, she is said to have been invited to photograph a Durbar by Rilwanu Adamu, Emir of Bauchi.

Who is Hanan Buhari?

Hanan Buhari

Hanan can simply be called a tyrant in the making. She recently ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to unlawfully arrest and detain a businessman in Delta State, Anthony Okolie, for 10  weeks. 

The victim purchased a telephone line in Asaba which was previously owned and used by Hanan. The line was recycled for sale by the network provider due to a long period of dormancy. When Hanan discovered that the line was now under a new ownership, she ordered for his arrest. The businessman did not receive any compensation for the mistreatment.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Saturday 11^th January, defended Hanan’s presidential jet cruise and rubbished the criticisms by saying four groups of people were authorized to use the Presidential jets; the President and his family, the vice-President, the Senate President and any other person authorized by the President. 

The last group mentioned is the bone of contention. 

It has been argued, if the President authorizes an individual to use the Presidential jet for an official trip that will serve the interest of the Nigerian people; that will be totally in place. However, using tax payers money for frivolous trips which could be ceremonies, parties or even the desire to just be in the air is gross mismanagement. 

Under standard practice in Nigeria, only the President, First Lady, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker, Chief Justice of Nigeria, former Presidents and Presidential delegations are allowed to use the presidential jets.

Muhammadu Buhari visited every state of the federation during the election campaigns of 2019; he used a Presidential jet almost every week. Does Garba Shehu mean to tell Nigerians that it would be in place if the President’s children fly the presidential jet every week for their private parties?

It should be recalled that on 2^nd September 2019, the Supreme Court rebuked Muhammadu Buhari for using a federal government paid lawyer for his personal legal battles at the election tribunal. 

It is not a norm for the children of heads of state to fly Presidential jets alone; they are usually in the company of the President, the first lady or a high ranking government official. In the countries we learnt democracy from; children of elected Presidents do not go on private cruises on tax payers money. 

In the 2020 national budget, about N8.5bn was quoted for maintenance of the Presidential jets.

It might be true that Buhari’s monthly salary and allowances can but jet fuel for 10 trips weekly but, that money can as well be used to charter a commercial aircraft. Whatever is funded by the Nigerian state should not be utilized for private pursuits.

The article, What Does Islam Say About Tyranny?, will make a good read.