Most Nigerian state governors tend to buy one or more aircraft while they are in office. For some, these aircraft (private jets and helicopters) are for official and security use while for others, it’s meant for personal use. In this article, https://carlots.ng brings you a list of 10 Nigerian state governors both past and present who bought aircraft while in office:
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BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA
Former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola is first on our list of state governor’s who acquired aircraft while in office. He acquired two Bell 412 EP helicopters on 7th December 2007. The helicopters which he bought for security reasons were specially enabled for firefighting, search and salvage, crisis administration, air emergency vehicle and airborne observation jobs.
LIYEL IMOKE
Liyel Imoke is a former governor of Cross River State. It was reported that in July 2003, he bought a Bombardier Dash 8-Q200 with enrollment number 5N GRS from the Rivers State government. According to him, the move to purchase an aircraft was to promote tourism in Cross River, and in turn, lead to revenue generation. He bought the Bombardier Dash 8-Q200 for $6 million. When he bought the aircraft, Governor Liyel Imoke furnished and restyled the aircraft to his taste.
GODSWILL AKPABIO
In July 2012, former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Governor Godswill Akpabio acquired a brand new aircraft which was said to be for his personal and exclusive use. He bought a brand new Bombardier Global 5000 with number N224BH using funds from a Bank of Utah Trust account.
DANBABA SUNTAI
Danbaba Suntai, the former governor of Taraba state assumed office on 29th May 2007. The former state Governor has a penchant for flying as he acquired three aircraft during his tenure. He bought a Bell helicopter and 2 others planes, a Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ and an Embraer ERJ-145 stream. It was reported that the Taraba state government bought the Embraer ERJ-145 from a former Nigerian senator speaking for Kebbi, Bala Ibn Na’Allah for about $21m (N4.13bn, at the exchange rate at that point).
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ADAMU MU’AZU
Also on our list of state governors who acquired aircraft while in the office is Adamu Mu’azu, former governor of Bauchi state. In 2007, Adamu Mu’azu bought an Embraer 145 aeroplane which cost him about $17.5 million (N3 Billion at the exchange rate at that point). According to the previous National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at that time, the aeroplane was acquired to increase internally generated revenue (IGR). In a short while, the aeroplane was rented to Messrs Donnier (Dana) Aviation Ltd with the agreement that 4 million NGN is remitted to the Bauchi state government weekly. After a reevaluation, the amount was increased to 6 million NGN weekly.
PETER ODILI
Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State bought two aircraft during his tenure in office for office purposes. In 2005, he bought an air emergency vehicle known as AgustaWestland helicopter, and the other, a Brazilian-made Private Jet that’s called Embraer Legacy 600. He bought the helicopter for about $10m (N1.97bn, at the exchange rate at that point) while the private jet cost about $16m (N3.152bn, at the exchange rate at that point).
JAMES IBORI
James Ibori was the former governor of Delta State, and he governed the state for 8 years, beginning from May 29, 1999, to May 2007. It was recorded that Governor James Ibori bought a Bombardier Challenger fly from Bombardier Aerospace Incorporated, in Canada using funds obtained through Seaward Shell organizations and neighborhood colleagues. The aircraft cost him $20 million to bring home.
ROTIMI AMAECHI
Born on May 27, 1965, Rotimi Amaechi is another state Governor in Nigeria who bought an aircraft while in office. He was once a member of the People’s Democratic before he defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC). He was the former governor of Rivers State. In 2012, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State acquired a brand new Bombardier Global 5000 (N565RS) for his exclusive use. The aircraft cost him about $45.7 million (N7.4 billion) to acquire. In a short while, Rotimi Amaechi sold the state government’s Embraer Legacy 600 to the Cross River government, claiming the maintenance expenses were too much.
RAUF AREGBESOLA
Former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola bought a 2006 model French Five-Plus-One passenger Eurocopter AS-355N. According to him, the helicopter was acquired for security reasons which are to upgrade the state’s Swift Anti-Robbery Squad (SAS) in the aspect of aerial surveillance. The helicopter was acquired under a Lease agreement with OAS Helicopters at the sum of $2.538 million (N500 million).
UDOM EMMANUEL
Udom Emmanuel acquired three aircraft in February 2019 to begin Ibom Air, a commercial airline situated in Akwa Ibom. According to Udom Emmanuel, state governor of Akwa Ibom, the acquisition of the aircraft was for commercial purposes in order to boost internally generated revenue within the state. His administration still plans to have at least 10 aircraft before 2023.
