Politicians’ overseas meetings ill-advised, diminish Nigeria’s image, say ex-diplomats

In a statement titled “The London Show of Shame” and signed by Bolaji Akinyemi, a former minister of foreign affairs, on behalf of other fellows, the Academy said it was most unfortunate and heartbreaking that some Nigerian leaders had to abandon the shores of the country for the “ex-colonialists’ capitals of London and Paris in search of delusion-solutions to Nigeria’s problems”.

This is coming after a series of meetings overseas by some Nigerian politicians, including one involving former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Academy, in the statement seen by Business A.M., said 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”.

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

“Isn’t it ludicrous that, from information available to our Academy, some horse trading which dominated their so-called talks on bringing ‘enduring hope to Nigeria’, centred on counting their chickens before the eggs are hatched, as deliberations focussed on dividing and allocating the national cake to themselves even before the cake is baked, as regards allocation of principal offices of the National Assembly, Ministerial posts, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others, rather than devoting sufficient time to finding solutions to the pervasive insecurity, economic recession and poverty in the land, problems which they caused or contributed substantially to their creation,” it said in the statement.

The Academy further noted that the unnecessary and inexcusable trips to London, Paris and Dubai by the politicians demonstrated their 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 really revolting and unacceptable that Nigerian leaders should always fly out of the country in search of the magic wand to solve the country’s problems. It would be more cost effective and appropriate to brainstorm here in Nigeria in order to get wise counsel from the rich pool of very capable and patriotic Nigerians,” it said.

The Academy also condemned what it described as a “norm or practice” whereby Nigerian leaders fly to Western capitals to rule the country by “remote control” in the same way that many nonchalant State governors rule their states from Abuja.

It recalled that even during the civil war, the gravest period of the country’s existence, peace meetings/conferences were held only in Africa and none was held in Europe or the Americas.

“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 from the global scene,” it stated.

The Academy, a platform set up for open and private debate on the emerging new world order and Nigeria’s role or non-role in the world, noted that the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies within Nigeria and among Nigerians.

It further justified its admonition as one of its duties to call out the leaders when their behaviour diminishes Nigeria’s status in the world.

The Academy is made up of former foreign ministers, former ambassadors and university professors, including Odein Ajumogobia, Joy Ogwu, Jide Osuntokun, Alaba Ogunsanwo, Joe Keshi, Jaiyeola Lewu, Agwai Martin Luther (Lt. General), Segun Apata, Godknows Igali, Eghosa Osagie (DG, NIIA), Nuhu Yaqoob, Akin Oyebode, Hassan Saliu, Jide Owoeye, Kayode Shinkaiye, and Bola Akinterinwa (secretary).