Nigerian presidency denies ownership of yacht in France linked to Tinubu

FILE PHOTO: Summit for a new global financing pact takes place in Paris

FILE PHOTO: Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria, arrives for the closing session of the New Global Financial Pact Summit, Friday, June 23, 2023 in Paris, France. The aim of the two-day climate and finance summit was to set up concrete measures to help poor and developing countries whose predicaments have been worsened by the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine better tackle poverty and climate change. Lewis Joly/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Source: X80003

Nigeria’s presidency has denied ownership of a yacht which was seen on vacation flying the country’s flag in St Tropez, a coastal town in France.

Netizens jumped onto a viral video of the superboat with the Nigerian flag describing it as a property of President Bola Tinubu.

Reacting to this, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Otega Ogra denied any government associations with the said yacht.

In a post on X, he further educated the public, noting that flags used by the President or the Nigerian Armed Forces don't feature a coat of arms as seen on the one bore by the yacht at the centre of the matter.

“There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht. Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth," the post said.

“The 42-metre Benetti yacht currently being circulated online has been privately owned for around five years since its construction.

“It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, President, or Armed Forces. Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply untrue and inaccurate. It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.

“The official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green without a coat of arms in the middle. Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the centre. Placing anything in the centre of the flag is a clear deviation,” Otega Orga added.

In November last year, President Bola Tinubu approved the budget for the purchase of a presidential yacht, and private jet among others despite the public furore.

Wonder Hagan