By Ayo Kehinde
In what it tagged The London Show of Shame, the Nigerian Academy of International Affairs, has condemned the recent meeting in London of a set of Nigerian politicians who met in the capital city of the United Kingdom to discuss political issues regarding the 2023 general elections.
The meeting which had in attendance, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Oyo, Abia, Benue and Adamawa counterparts, namely Seyi Makinde, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom and Umaru Fintiri as well as presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was widely reported as a fence mending meeting between what is now called the Wike’s group of aggrieved governors still to reconcile with the main opposition party over the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as its Vice Presidential candidate. The meeting, though happened on the same day as shown by the hotel and dress worn by the attendees, was separate. One took place between Obasanjo, and ex-Cross Rivers Governor, Donald Duke, Wike his governor colleagues- Ortom, Makinde and Ikpeazu, while the other took place between Atiku, Fintiri and Wike’s group.
According to the body of eminent and retired professionals and scholars in diplomacy and International Affairs, in its reaction, “the Academy is scandalised by the clownish gathering of some members of our political elite in London recently following similar meetings in Paris and Dubai.”
L-R: Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Ex Cross Rivers Governor Donald Duke, Governor Samuel Ortom, ex-President Olusegin Obasanjo, Governor Nyesom Wike, Labour Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde at the London Meeting last week.
In a statement signed by the members who include ex-directors and current Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, former Nigerian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ambassadors, the body said “it is most unfortunate and heartbreaking that some Nigerian leaders had to abandon the shores of this country for the ex-colonialists’ capitals of London and Paris in search of delusion-solutions to Nigeria’s problems.
Professor A Bolaji Akinyemi, President, Nigerian Academy of International Affairs and former Foreign Affairs Minister, who signed the statement on behalf of his fellows, 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 a savoury Western atmosphere. The implication of this 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.
“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 the 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.
“Indeed, the unnecessary and inexcusable trips to London/Paris/Dubai demonstrated the 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.
“The solution to Nigeria’s problems lies within Nigeria and among Nigerians.
“Let it not be the norm or practice that Nigerian leaders have to 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.
“During the gravest period of our existence, our civil war, and peace meetings/conferences were held only in Africa. 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 on the global scene.
“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, feels it has a duty to call out our leaders when their behaviour diminishes Nigeria’s status in the world,” it concluded.
THE FOLLOWING FELLOWS ON WHOSE BEHALF PROF AKINYEMI SIGNED ARE:
1. ODEIN AJUMOGOBIA, SAN, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER
2. PROF JOY OGWU, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER
3. PROF JIDE OSUNTOKUN, FORMER AMBASSADOR
4. PROF ALABA OGUNSANWO, FORMER AMBASSADOR
5. AMBASSADOR JOE KESHI
6. AMBASSADOR DR. JAIYEOLA LEWU
7. LT. GENERAL AGWAI MARTIN LUTHER
8. AMBASSADOR SEGUN APATA
9. AMBASSADOR GODKNOWS IGALI
10. PROFESSOR EGHOSA OSAGIE, DG, NIIA
11. PROFESSOR NUHU YAQOOB
12. PROFESSOR AKIN OYEBODE
13. PROFESSOR EGHOSA OSAGIE
14. PROFESSOR HASSAN SALIU
15. PROFESSOR JIDE OWOEYE
16. AMBASSADOR KAYODE SHINKAIYE
17. PROFESSOR BOLA AKINTERINWA, SECRETARY HQ 3 FEMI DERU CLOSE, OPEBI, IKEJA, LAGOS
AUGUST 28, 2022
