AKWA Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel has decided to sell the governor's private jet bought by his predecessor as part of a clampdown on excessive government spending that has characterised Nigerian politics lately. 

Over the last 16 years, Nigerian governors have been extremely extravagant with flamboyant lifestyles, revelling in squandermania and purchasing private jets. Former Akwa Ibom State governor Godswill Akpabio, epitomised this penchant for the highlife and as part of his opulence, he bought a private jet. 

However, newly-elected Governor Emmanuel has decided to cut back on some of the unnecessary luxuries as Akwa Ibom State is one of those owing its workers salary arrears. Since his inauguration on May 29, Governor Emmanuel has rarely used the private jet, preferring to travel by chartered helicopters which he considers less-ostentatious. 

In view of Governor Emmanuel’s unfavourable disposition to the private jet, he is contemplating disposing of the aircraft. An Akwa Ibom State Government House source said that the governor was shopping for buyers of the jet to relieve him of the burden of fuelling and maintaining it..

“Governor Emmanuel is not comfortable with the idea of sustaining the ownership of the jet and is contemplating selling it, more so because of the slash in states’ allocations and the high cost of aviation fuel,” the source added. 

Oil-rich Akwa Ibom receives the highest amount of money from the federal government than any other state in Nigeria and has enjoyed tremendous infrastructural development over the last eight years. Despite his squandermania, Governor Akpabio built all sorts of infrastructure in the state including shopping malls, stadia, roads, bridges and conference