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The Presidency said the retention of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001, in London where President Muhammadu Buhari is currently receiving medical attention was borne out protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige and 'parking fees do not exceed 1000 euros'.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
Shehu said, “The Presidency is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by Heads of State all over the world.
“It is important to state that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, there is no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation.
“From operational point of view, this country’s Armed Forces as represented by the Nigeria Air Force are not to abandon their Commander-In-Chief in whichever circumstance he is. This is a standard operating procedure.”
The presidential spokesman also debunked the parking fees being reported, saying presidential aircraft enjoy waivers worldwide.
He added that where a waiver is not granted, such fees do not exceed £1,000.
He urged Nigerians to discard the report which he claimed is emanating from the camp of opposition.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
Shehu said, “The Presidency is constrained to decry criticisms, mostly on social media, on the retention in London of the Presidential Aircraft, NAF 001 as mostly informed by lack of understanding of protocol around foreign trips by Heads of State all over the world.
“It is important to state that for reasons of protocol, national security, diplomacy and prestige, there is no world leader who travels abroad and is left without plans for immediate return or possible evacuation.
“From operational point of view, this country’s Armed Forces as represented by the Nigeria Air Force are not to abandon their Commander-In-Chief in whichever circumstance he is. This is a standard operating procedure.”
The presidential spokesman also debunked the parking fees being reported, saying presidential aircraft enjoy waivers worldwide.
He added that where a waiver is not granted, such fees do not exceed £1,000.
He urged Nigerians to discard the report which he claimed is emanating from the camp of opposition.