Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the ongoing COP28 climate change summit in Dubai.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku accused Tinubu of turning the crucial climate conference into an “Owambe” – a lavish Yoruba celebration – with his excessively large entourage of over 1,400 delegates.
“How will the head of a government turn a conference of climate change to a jamboree, all-comers and ‘owambe’ party of over 1,400 delegates?,” Atiku questioned. It is ridiculous and a confirmation that he is still in a slumber as far as governance is concerned.
Atiku further slammed Tinubu’s delegation as an unnecessary burden on Nigeria’s already strained finances. “The economic dire straits that Nigeria is facing demand that its leaders cut their coats according to the cloth available. It makes no sense for us to continue to borrow money to throw a street party outside the country.
He emphasized the stark contrast between the purpose of the summit and Tinubu’s extravagant display. “COP28 is about improving lives, ensuring clean air and water, and securing a safe future for all,” Atiku stressed. “It’s not a platform for an ‘Owambe’ of over 1,400 delegates.”
“The leader of the Nigerian delegation should be reminded: COP28UAE is about improving lives, about clean air and water, healthy food, for all people, for nature, for a safe and secure future, and not for a jamboree of over 1,400 Owambe delegates,” he said.
