Using presidential jet to campaign not abuse of power, Keyamo tells Buhari’s critics

The Head of Communications and Strategy of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), says the President has the right to use the presidential jet to attend political rallies.

He, therefore, criticised a spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Phrank Shuaibu, who had called on the President not to waste taxpayers’ money.

Keyamo told our correspondent that asking the President not to use the presidential jet to attend rallies was like asking him to move out of the Presidential Villa or to be using taxis to move around.

The senior advocate said the opposition must realise that Buhari is not just a presidential candidate but also the leader of the nation and as such, his security remains paramount.

He also asked the Peoples Democratic Party to present evidence that past presidents such as Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan did not use the presidential jet to attend campaigns.

Keyamo added, “They should realise that as President of Nigeria, he is entitled to security and the paraphernalia of office. These things the President uses, such as his car and jet, are fitted with security equipment that a president is entitled to because, whether candidate or not, he is the President.

“So, it may even be more expensive for the country if he hires a private jet and security devices are fitted into it. The fact that he is a presidential candidate doesn’t make him an ordinary citizen.

“If we want to stretch their argument, it means the President should no longer live in the Villa.

“Let them show us all the records of Jonathan, Obasanjo and Yar’Adua. Let us know if it wasn’t the presidential jet they used.

“They are shameless people running a self-indicting campaign.”

 

(PUNCH)

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