The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to send a large delegation to the COP29 climate summit, which held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Abubakar described the delegation as an example of financial excess, especially at a time when Tinubu is urging Nigerians to embrace austerity measures to reduce national expenditure.
Reports indicate that 634 Nigerians are attending the summit, which is being funded by the Federal Government. This marks a significant increase in the number of delegates compared to previous years. For context, Nigeria’s official delegation to the COP28 summit in Dubai last year stood at 590 individuals, a rise from 120 delegates sent to COP27 in Egypt, according to ThisDay.
The large delegations have stirred public discontent, especially considering Tinubu’s recent calls for fiscal restraint, following the removal of fuel subsidy and naira floating that have led to higher living costs.
Meanwhile, FG clarified that it is funding 422 of the 590 individuals who attended COP29, while the rest of the delegation was reportedly privately funded.
However, even the government-funded contingent of 422 represents more than triple the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to COP27 (120) and COP26 (87).
Despite the explanation, the growing size of the delegations continues to generate public backlash, with many questioning the allocation of resources for international conferences while the country faces pressing economic challenges.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku condemned the lavish spending.
Atiku also referenced the previous year’s COP28, where Nigeria’s delegation ballooned to 1,411 members, making it the third-largest delegation from any country and the largest from Africa. He noted the irony of such extravagant spending, especially when the administration simultaneously promotes the Steve Oronsaye Report—a plan meant to streamline government operations and reduce costs.
Under the stewardship of Tinubu, Nigeria has sadly garnered notoriety on the global stage, setting Guinness World Records albeit for all the wrong reasons.
”A case in point is the size of the nation’s delegations to international conferences and state visits, which have ballooned to staggering proportions.
”At the ongoing #COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nigeria proudly claims the title of Africa’s largest delegation, with an astounding 634 individuals making the trip.
“This monumental entourage has racked up a staggering N866 million in flight expenses alone.
”This comes hot on the heels of the 2023 #COP28 summit in Dubai, where President Tinubu’s delegation swelled to an eye-popping 1,411 members. Not only did this extravagant “owambe” display earn Nigeria the dubious honour of the largest delegation from Africa, but it also positioned the nation as the third largest of all participating countries.
”Ironically, amidst this lavish display of largesse, the very same administration is espousing the implementation of the Steve Oronsaye Report – an initiative ostensibly designed to streamline governance and reduce costs.
”In truth, as Daniel Bwala @BwalaDaniel astutely diagnosed, the current APC administration’s approach to governance seems to be a contradiction in terms – preaching austerity while indulging in excess,” Atiku said.
