

News
President Tinubu Reportedly Directs Sale Of Three Presidential Jets Over Cost Of Maintenance
Three jets in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) are to be sold off to cut down on the bloated cost of running the government.
According to The Nation, there are 10 aircraft currently in the presidential fleet – six jets and four helicopters – which will be cut to seven if the planned action sails through.
According to the report, this is part of the cost-saving measures being adopted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Not less than N80 billion had been budgeted for the PAF as maintenance cost, from 2016 to 2023. In 2016 (N3.65 billion), 2017 (N4.37 billion), 2018 (N7.26 billion), 2019 (N7.30 billion), 2020 (N6.79 billion), 2021 (N12.55 billion), 2022 (N12.48 billion) and in 2023 about N25.7billion, made up of N13billion in the budget and N12.7billion in the 2023 Supplementary Budget.
Although the amount released from the budgetary line year on year could not be ascertained, the President was said to be uncomfortable with the rising cost of maintenance and therefore directed that the fleet should be reduced.
Citing a source, the president was particularly concerned about the frequency of maintenance and how much it costs the nation.
“The President is uncomfortable with the rising cost of maintaining the planes,” the source said.
“Three planes have been pencilled down for disposal. The main reason is cutting down high maintenance costs.
READ ALSO
- BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Ailment Not Life-Threatening – Court Adopts NMA Findings
- Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members
- CAF Announces 2026 World Cup African Playoffs
- Davido Announces 5IVE Alive Tour in Five Cities in Nigeria
- Enugu: Read Full Text of Governor Peter Mbah APC defection speech
“I think officers in PAF were particularly concerned about the frequency of maintenance and how much it costs the nation.
“The President decided to let off the aircraft that constitute the most burdensome.”
Then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s government also planned to sell off two planes in the fleet but eventually failed to dispose of them.
In October 2016, a Dassault Falcon 7x executive jet and a Beechcraft Hawker 4000 business jet were put up for sale.
The preferred bidders who initially agreed to pay $24 million for the two aircraft, later reduced their offer to $11 million. This was rejected by the then government.
READ ALSO
- BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Ailment Not Life-Threatening – Court Adopts NMA Findings
- Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members
- CAF Announces 2026 World Cup African Playoffs
- Davido Announces 5IVE Alive Tour in Five Cities in Nigeria
- Enugu: Read Full Text of Governor Peter Mbah APC defection speech
Thereafter, an arrangement to put some of the aircraft on chatter for willing governors was initiated to make the planes income-generating, thereby reducing the government expenses on maintenance.
The planes in the Presidential Fleet are Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) 737, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7X, HS 4000, two Agusta 139, and two Agusta 101.
The BBJ 737 is the Nigerian Air Force One, which is used exclusively by the President.
It is designed to serve as an office and a residential quarter on air to enable the president to function effectively during his trip.
The President also uses one of the helicopters for shuttles during his trips around the country.
Other jets in the fleet are used by top government officials including the Vice President, governors, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly members on special shuttles, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers on special missions, Chief of Staff, advisers and even ambassadors of plenipotentiary status.
The report noted that it could not ascertain whether the President’s BBJ 737 would be sold and replaced.
The BBJ was bought for about $43 million during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A Falcon and Embraer jets have been slated to be sold.
READ ALSO
- BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Ailment Not Life-Threatening – Court Adopts NMA Findings
- Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members
- CAF Announces 2026 World Cup African Playoffs
- Davido Announces 5IVE Alive Tour in Five Cities in Nigeria
- Enugu: Read Full Text of Governor Peter Mbah APC defection speech
An investigation confirmed that the presidency might have incurred over $5 million as maintenance fees in the past few months.
It was unclear the actual figure of outstanding commitments on the fleet which have not been settled.
Giving reasons for the use of some of the planes by top government officials, a source said: “It takes much time to connect some African countries by air. In such a situation, the Presidential Air Fleet is handy.
“The use of the fleet is domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for effective management.”
Last week, President Tinubu in another cost-saving measure imposed a three-month travel ban on public-funded foreign trips by Federal Government officials.
This takes effect from today, April 1.
Biafra
BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Ailment Not Life-Threatening – Court Adopts NMA Findings

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adopted a medical report by a panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which found that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not suffering from any life-threatening ailment.
The NMA panel, constituted by the association’s president on the order of Justice James Omotosho, was tasked with determining Kanu’s actual health condition following conflicting claims from medical experts representing both the prosecution and the defence.
According to the report submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and partly read in open court on Thursday, the panel concluded that Kanu’s condition is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial.
Justice Omotosho, citing the report and noting no objections from either side, ruled that the trial would proceed.
The judge subsequently granted the defence six consecutive days — from October 23 to October 28 — to open and close its case.
Additionally, the court approved an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting that Kanu’s legal team be allowed to hold private consultations with him outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to ensure confidentiality.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the private meeting will take place in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.
The court further ordered that Kanu should continue receiving medical care at the DSS medical facility pending further proceedings.
One of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development after Thursday’s sitting.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
News
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Wednesday during a state executive council meeting in Yenagoa, accompanied by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Speaker Abraham Ngobere and Deputy Speaker Faithful Ebi.
His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the move, attributing it to ‘obvious reasons’ without specifics, while Diri thanked PDP supporters and reaffirmed his dedication to Bayelsa’s progress.
“Today, I have formally resigned my membership from PDP for obvious reasons.” – Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
The defection ends the PDP’s control of the state since 1999 and hints at a potential shift to the All Progressives Congress before the 2027 elections.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
News
Davido Announces 5IVE Alive Tour in Five Cities in Nigeria

Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has revealed the Nigerian dates for his 5IVE Alive Tour, linked to his fifth studio album released in April 2025, following a successful North American run.
The tour kicks off on October 26 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, and includes stops in Yola, Enugu, Ibadan, culminating on December 25 in Lagos.
Tickets are now available starting at ₦5,000 for most venues, with fans urged to purchase quickly amid high demand.

News
Lagos Re-Arraigns Evans For Alleged Murder Of Two Policemen

The Lagos State Government has re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, on a fresh murder charge involving the deaths of two police officers.
Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were re-arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
The case was transferred from Justice Adenike Coker, and according to the charge, Evans and his co-defendant allegedly killed two policemen, Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi, on August 27, 2013, around 10 p.m. at Festac Town, Lagos.
The offences violate Section 221 of the Lagos Criminal Law, 2011.
At the proceedings, State Prosecutor A. O. Azeez confirmed the transfer of the case and requested a fresh arraignment despite Evans’ earlier plea bargain applications before the former judge.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.
The court adjourned the matter to November 19, 2025, for hearing and issuance of witness summons.
Evans has already been convicted before another court and is currently serving sentences for two of his five criminal cases.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
News
‘Taking Nigeria’s Situation to God’ Peter Obi’s Message After Visit to Rome

After his visit to Rome, Peter Obi the former presidential Candidate of the Labour party in 2023 general election write what he did while in Rome.
Read below 👇
My Visit to the USA, Rome: Taking Nigeria’s Situation to God.
After my 2-day trip to the United States – where I addressed the Friendship Club on Saturday, 4 October, and spoke at the 1st Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington on Sunday, 5 October – I departed that same night for Rome, arriving on 6th October to join my dearest wife, who was already in Rome waiting for me.
This year marks a Jubilee Year, an event celebrated every twenty-five years, and my dearest wife and I chose to dedicate our prayers to Nigeria. With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many challenges faced over sixty-five years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation – a rare and profound blessing for which we remain deeply thankful.
We also sought forgiveness for our national transgressions and implored God to intervene in the suffering of the Nigerian people. We prayed for the injection into our political landscape selfless and compassionate leaders whose hearts He God would touch—leaders who would be truthful in word and deed, altruistic in service, and committed to using public resources for the common good. Leaders whose decisions would reflect competence, capacity, character, and commitment to the welfare of all. Leaders who understand that they were not created to live in isolation but in community with others, and must ensure that actions are for the benefit of the community.
On Tuesday, the 7th of October, as part of our pilgrimage, we passed through three Holy Doors of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome, praying at each that God would open the door of His mercy to Nigeria. At St. Mary Major, we prayed, passed through the Holy Door, and reflected at the grave of the late Pope Francis. From there, we journeyed to the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where Cardinal James Harvey warmly received us, led us through the Holy Door, and shared the basilica’s rich history and the deep significance of the Jubilee Year. Our third stop was the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, where, together with other pilgrims, we passed through the Holy Door and joined in prayer. We then proceeded to the Scala Sancta – the Holy Steps which Jesus ascended before Pontius Pilate – where we prayed with profound reverence, completing a day of deep spiritual reflection at some of Rome’s most sacred sites.
On Wednesday the 8th of October, we rose early for the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we were blessed to hear the Catechesis of His Holiness on hope, perseverance, and steadfast faith in times of hardship. Afterwards, we passed through the final Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, praying and reflecting deeply on God’s mercy, thus completing our pilgrimage through the four doors with hearts filled with gratitude and renewed faith.
At St. Peter’s, we were privileged to be received in audience by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex, to whom we humbly appealed for prayers for our beloved country, Nigeria.
Along the way, we met several Nigerian pilgrims: men and women of faith whose faces shone with quiet hope. Together, we renewed our trust in God’s divine mercy and in the promise of a renewed and better Nigeria.
I believe fervently in the power and providence of God. Yet, as we lift our nation before Him in prayer, we must not surrender to fatalism. Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; rather, it calls us to action. As Nigerians, we must each continue to do our part – with honesty, diligence, and love – for the healing and progress of our country.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Big Brother Naija Live Update: KOLA, SULTANA Evicted #BBNaija
-
Music3 weeks ago
Odumodublvck Drops “Industry Machine” Feauturing Wizkid Ahead of 23-Track Album
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Imisi Crowned Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10
-
Biafra3 weeks ago
Judgement Day: Tension in Abuja as Court Rules on Nnamdi Kanu’s No-Case Submission Today
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
Content Creator Mandy Kiss Announces Guinness World Record Sex Marathon Attempt
-
Entertainment4 weeks ago
BBNaija Update: Joanna, Kuture Sent Packing as Week 9 Evictions Shock Fans
-
Music News2 weeks ago
Odumodublvck Set to Drop ‘Industry Machine’ The Album Featuring Davido, Wizkid, Skepta & Stormzy
-
Music News3 weeks ago
Wizkid’s Made in Lagos becomes top-selling African album in U.S.
-
Music3 weeks ago
Sarz Drops Debut Album Featuring Wizkid, Asake, Skillibeng
-
Music3 weeks ago
Spyro Releases Debut Album The Men, The Boys & Your Guy