President Tinubu’s Speech at COP 28: An Embarrassment to Nigeria, Says Political Activist Timi Frank
ABUJA/Nigeria: Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech at the ongoing COP 28 climate change event in Dubai, labeling it as “one of the most embarrassing speeches ever.”
Frank, a political activist hailing from Bayelsa, lambasted both the content of the President’s speech and the staggering delegation of over 1,400 individuals accompanying him to the international event. In a released statement from Abuja, Frank denounced the size of the delegation as not only shameful but contradictory to a government that pledged to curb spending. He highlighted the excessive Estacode spending by multiple agencies and parastatals, deeming their attendance futile and non-beneficial to Nigerians.
According to Frank’s assessment, the President’s speech, now subject to global ridicule, has cost the nation over $20 million. He emphasized Nigeria’s distinctiveness as the sole African country and the third globally in terms of delegation size, surpassing even world economic powerhouses like China and Brazil. Frank expressed dismay at the international community’s perception of Nigeria’s representation, citing bewilderment at the speech’s inconsistency and lack of coherence.
Frank further criticized the apparent lack of tangible contribution from the Nigerian delegation compared to other nations with significantly smaller contingents. He underscored the detrimental effect such incidents have on Nigeria’s global standing and investor confidence, attributing the country’s investment challenges to perceived leadership inadequacies.
Calling for an immediate apology from President Tinubu, Frank demanded an explanation for the embarrassment caused to Nigerians on an international platform. He tied this incident to the larger issue of leadership seriousness, echoing concerns about Nigeria’s visibility compared to other proactive world leaders at the event.
In a conclusive call to action, Frank rallied support for an upcoming diaspora protest targeting Tinubu, asserting it as a means for the populace to voice their grievances and salvage the nation’s reputation. Despite the current setback, Frank expressed optimism for a future leader capable of reshaping Nigeria’s narrative and steering the country towards a more promising future.
