A political science expert and analyst on the Channels TV Sunday Politics Show, Professor Jideofor Adibe, has raised concerns over the “bloated” number of delegates from Nigeria attending the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai alongside President Tinubu.
Expressing his reservations, Adibe criticized the decision to send 1411 Nigerian delegates to the summit, questioning the government’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance and showing compassion for the citizens’ hardships.
He stated, “Amid the binge on loans and borrowings, and the increasing hardship and increasing emigration of Nigerians, these things happening raise the question about fidelity to cutting down the cost of governance and whether there is even compassion for suffering Nigerians.”
Adibe highlighted the significant expenses involved, including government-funded transportation to Dubai, daily estacodes of about $900 per delegate, and hotel costs for two weeks of the summit.
The analyst emphasized the need for a more focused delegation, suggesting that only experts with specific roles and a maximum of three ministers should accompany the President to international events like the COP 28 Climate Summit.
Adibe called on the President to take concrete actions to uphold the commitment to reducing the cost of government, urging sanctions for officials responsible for the large delegation in Dubai.
