Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s speech at the ongoing COP 28 climate change event in Dubai, labelling it as “one of the most embarrassing speeches ever.”
The Bayelsa-born politician also demanded an apology from the president to Nigerians.
Frank condemned the delegation of over 1,400 government officials and individuals accompanying the president to the international event in a statement released in Abuja.
He described the massive delegation as embarrassing and contradictory to the government’s pledge to reduce spending.
Frank estimated the cost to Nigeria for this delegation at over $20 million, highlighting Nigeria’s position as the only African country and the third globally with such an extensive delegation.
His words:
“It is sad to see many at the international event wondering how the President of Nigeria would deliver one of the most embarrassing speeches ever, filled with inconsistency and totally out of point.
“Other countries were there with very few delegations and achieved so much, but in our case, it was partying and shopping without being visible in the event proper.
“Therefore, I call on the president to immediately apologize to Nigerians and explain the embarrassment on Nigerians in an international event. These are the reasons why investors continue to reject the idea of investing in Nigeria because of our lack of seriousness in leadership.
“Other world leaders were very visible, initiating deals on the sidelines, whereas the delegation from Nigeria were partying and shopping around Dubai and nowhere to be found.”
