Presidency refutes ownership of Yacht spotted in France amidst false claims

The Yacht. Source: X

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Presidency has dismissed claims that a yacht spotted in St. Tropez, France, and flying a Nigerian flag belongs to the Federal Government.

On Saturday, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital and New Media, addressed the issue on his X handle, refuting the false claims circulating online.

Ogra clarified that the 42-meter Bennetti yacht currently being discussed has been privately owned for approximately five years since its construction.

Ogra emphasized that this yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, President Bola Tinubu, or the Nigerian armed forces.

He labeled any claims suggesting otherwise as false and misleading.

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He explained that it is not unusual for luxury yachts to display both the flag of their owner’s country and the flag of the country in which they are registered, which does not imply government ownership.

Furthermore, Ogra highlighted that the official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green, without a coat of arms in the centre, saying that flags representing the Nigerian President or the armed forces do not feature a coat of arms, adding that any flag displaying a coat of arms deviates from the official standard.

Regarding the so-called “presidential yacht,” Ogra noted that this naval observatory and training ship was ordered and acquired by Nigeria during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure (2015-2023).

“Although the vessel was delivered in June 2023, it has not been paid for. This was confirmed by Naval authorities. Director of Naval Information, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, affirmed in a November 2023 statement that while the yacht was ordered during Buhari’s administration, it was delivered to Nigeria before being included in the budget as an outstanding debt obligation. Ayo-Vaughan confirmed, “That is correct, it is in Nigeria.”

Ogra urged the public to exercise caution and avoid defaming private individuals and their legitimate businesses based on false political associations with personal property.