The speaker of the Borno state house of assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan has said that vice-president Kashim Shettima needs a new airplane urgently.
The vice-president, on the 25th of October called off his trip to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government (CHOGM) summit in Apia, Samoa.
The president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga had disclosed Shettima’s trip was terminated as a result of the damage to his aircraft.
He stated that a “foreign object” damaged the cockpit’s windshield. The incident happened during a stopover at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, US.
However, in a statement released on Sunday, the Borno speaker said Shettima’s life is at risk, noting that the vice president needs a new aircraft.
“I want to sympathize 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,” the statement reads.
“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 an urgent need to acquire a new aircraft to Senator Kashim Shettima so as to avoid these recurrence of air mishaps.”
The presidency, back in August confirmed the procurement of a new airbus A330 for President Bola Tinubu.
The airplane was bought two months after the house of representatives committee on national security and intelligence asked the federal government to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and Shettima.