The Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has voiced his distress over the dilapidated state of Nigeria’s critical national assets, particularly the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. His anguish was palpable as he visited the airport on Wednesday, witnessing firsthand the dismal condition of facilities that stand as a gateway to the nation’s capital.
Obi’s dismay peaked when he observed a disabled individual being manually transported with his wheelchair up a staircase due to the non-functionality of the elevator and escalator at the airport, a lamentable situation that has persisted for the past three months. In a detailed account shared on his X-handle, Obi questioned the negligence of public assets by those in leadership positions, emphasizing the fundamental importance of maintaining such infrastructure.
The former Governor of Anambra State also criticized the assertion from the Presidency that the President’s current trip is private, asserting that there is no true privacy for a sitting President. In a poignant statement, he recounted the disheartening sight of a physically challenged traveler being carried through the airport, juxtaposing this with the President’s private visit.
Obi expressed his bewilderment at the concept of a sitting President undertaking a publicly funded ‘private’ visit, asserting that the President, being a public national asset, should disclose all his movements for public scrutiny. He urged a transparent delineation between personal and public expenses, especially when it comes to private visits that should be borne by the President and not at the expense of the public.
Highlighting the urgency of cost-cutting measures, Obi stressed the need for substantial savings to address pressing issues like the maintenance of vital public assets. He questioned the paradox of leaders enjoying sophisticated travel while critical infrastructure used by the majority, including foreign investors, remains in a state of disrepair.
Calling for a drastic reduction in the cost of governance, Obi acknowledged some efforts by the President to cut costs, such as the recent 60% reduction in travel expenses. However, he deemed these measures insufficient in the face of the substantial challenges the nation confronts, exemplified by the malfunctioning elevator and escalator at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.
At VOTP News, we commend Mr. Peter Obi for always looking out for Nigeria, despite the outcome of the election and court judgments. It is our humble plea to the President of Nigeria and his cabinet members to look at projects that would enhance the development and growth of Nigeria, addressing concerns raised by Mr. Obi.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Bad Shape: Obi to FG
