Professor Jideofor Adibe, a Political Science expert, criticized the Federal Government for sending a “bloated” delegation of around 1,000 delegates to the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adibe expressed doubts about the compassion of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, considering the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
The controversy surrounding the large number of delegates, surpassing even China’s, fueled social media criticism, with many deeming the government insensitive to the economic challenges caused by the mid-2023 removal of petrol subsidy.
Adibe emphasized that, given the harsh economic conditions, the Tinubu administration should lead by example and reduce the cost of governance. He questioned the fidelity to cost-cutting measures amid increasing loans, hardship, and emigration of Nigerians. The analyst highlighted that the government funded not only the officials’ flight costs in Dubai but also provided daily estacodes of about $900 and covered hotel expenses for the two-week summit.
Adibe suggested that the President’s delegation size should be limited to specific roles and not exceed three ministers. He urged President Tinubu to demonstrate a commitment to avoiding wasteful spending by holding officials accountable for the large delegation in Dubai.
Ada Peter
