Should the president’s family members use the presidential jet?

The daughter of the president recently used the presidential jet for her personal engagement, and this elicited outcry from the public. Daily Trust asked a few Nigerians what they think about the president’s family members being allowed to use the presidential jet.

Olalekan Yusuf, Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst, Ibadan

Why must the daughter of the president be using the presidential jet? It is fundamentally, morally, and constitutionally wrong. I have seen somebody who was sacked in a corporate organisation because her son had an accident with her official car. What if the presidential jet had an accident in the course of the journey? Would they have repaired it with tax payer’s money? President Buhari needs to instill more discipline in his people, especially his immediate family.

Chris Nbufe, Journalist, Port-Harcourt

The presidential jet is the symbol of Nigeria’s authority and should not be desecrated. The presidential jet should be used for official engagements of Mr. President. It is not made for errand movement of the president’s family. The office of the President should be respected, and all the symbols of the office that bears presidential insignia should also be accorded all the due respect it deserves. Unless any member of the president’s family is an envoy or officially delegated to represent Mr. President in an official function, such person can’t fly the presidential jet.

Esther Ede, Teacher, Abuja

I don’t think it is right for the president’s family members to use the presidential jet for personal engagements. That jet is part of the president’s paraphernalia of office; and it will amount to abuse of office if other family members use it at will. It is a different thing if the jet is being used to convey the president and his family (probably for vacation) or if the family member using it is representing the president at a function. But using it for their personal engagement is wrong and an abuse of power/office.

Linus Egbe, 52, civil servant, Maiduguri

There’s nothing abnormal for the president’s daughter to use a presidential flight. Previous regimes did so too and even in more civilized countries, it’s done. Besides, it’s one of the fringe benefits of being a member of the presidential family.

Juliet Hart, Student, Port-Harcourt

I don’t see anything wrong in the president’s family members flying the Presidential Jet. If my father is the president of a country and I need to travel, will I go and queue up for a commercial airline? For security reasons, the president’s children should be allowed to use the Presidential Jet. There is no big deal about it. Trump’s children in America use Airforce One and heads have not rolled. So, if it happens here, it’s no big deal.

Samuel Torlumun, 42, media entrepreneur, Abuja

President Buhari’s daughter has no reason to use the presidential jet for her personal use, except maybe she is sick; which is an emergency. The presidential jet is strictly for official use and there are procedures for its movement. The question is: who authorises the release of the presidential jet? I think issues like this need to be investigated.