‘Jamboree of shame’ — ex-diplomats chide political elite over foreign meetings

A group known as the Nigerian Academy of International Affairs has berated politicians who recently held meetings abroad.

In the last two weeks, Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, have all held meetings outside the shores of the country.

The meetings were held in Europe — precisely UK and France — ahead of the forthcoming presidential election.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bolaji Akinyemi, president of the academy, described the meetings as “clownish gatherings”.

“The ill-advised and unwitting jamboree of shame displayed by these leading Nigerian politicians in London/Paris has demonstrated once more that the Nigerian environment created and polluted by them is not conducive to their vainglorious self-importance and unearned esteem,” Akinyemi said.

“Consequently, and because of their Neo-colonial mentality which blinded them from seeing and appreciating the goodwill and resilience of Nigerians, they preferred a savoury Western atmosphere.

“The implication of this is the exposure of Nigeria directly or indirectly to unwarranted Western influence, particularly as they were perceived to be washing our dirty linens in the full glare of the world.

“Indeed, the unnecessary and inexcusable trips to London/Paris/Dubai demonstrated the insensitivity and reckless disregard for the plights of Nigerian workers and pensioners whose salaries and pensions have not been paid for a long time.

“It is this kind of neo-colonialist behaviour that has led to our absence from the global scene. Nigeria is not invited to G20, Brics or any significant meetings.

“Countries that watch our leaders’ pattern of behaviour such as the obnoxious conclaves in London/Paris/Dubai will have no respect for Nigeria. No wonder South Africa has eclipsed Nigeria on the global scene.”

The academy is made up of 17 people who are mostly former ambassadors