Nigeria’s large delegation of 1,411 persons to the ongoing COP28 in the UAE has continued to generate uproar in the country, with many calling it insensitive to the Nigerian economic condition and a waste of public funds. Peter Obi of the Labour Party and the PDP are among notable figures who have lent their voice, condemning the act.
In an interview on Channels TV, monitored by The News Chronicle, a Professor of Political Science with Nasarawa State University, Jideofor Adibe, said it was paradoxical that Nigeria faced with mounting hardship for the populace and an increasing foreign debt is not showing any sign of trying to cut down on the cost of governance. For him the optics raises questions on if the government has compassion for the people.
He is of the opinion that government at this time should be sensitive to the plight of the masses, but with recent happenings, like the purchase of N160 million SUVs for legislators, N15 billion being earmarked for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence, a supplementary budget of more than a 1 trillion Naira, and many other incidences of government expenditure, the government appears not to be concerned.
Adibe said that though Tinubu is known to be a man of the people as was seen during the election campaigns and the crowds that follow him, yet with previous backlash on the President’s extravagant outing at the UNGA and other foreign trips, the ball is in his court to take a stand that shows he is not given to waste in government expenditure, by cutting down the number of entourage which accompanies him on his trips. Adibe believes that when the president’s body language shows that he is serious about reducing the cost of governance, the people around him will adjust to his position.
