The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has faulted the inclusion of President Bola Tinubu's children in Nigeria’s delegation to Qatar on a business and investment forum trip.
SaharaReporters had reported that President Bola Tinubu’s sons – Seyi and Yinka – were part of the delegation to travel with the President on a state visit to Doha, Qatar.
Tinubu will visit Qatar on a state visit scheduled for March 2 and 3, 2024 but will be accompanied by 38 others including his sons. The delegation is split into two batches.
According to the report, the first batch of 16 people to arrive on February 28, 2024, include Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
The second delegation made up of 22 people to arrive on February 29, 2024, includes Seyi Tinubu, Yinka Tinubu, PPS, Hakeem Muti-Okunola, SCOP, Ambassador Victor Adekunle Adeleke, PP, Dr. Ade Tinubu, and SSAP (Household), Subair Oluwatoyin.
The trip comes amid a nationwide protest against hardship, hunger and high cost of living, among others in the country.
Tinubu has promised to cut the cost of governance but many Nigerians have accused the government of only paying lip service to it and not fully committed to going ahead with it.
But reacting to the list of Nigeria's delegation, CUPP questioned the rationale, accusing President Tinubu of being busy deceiving Nigerians, postulating that he is serious about cutting down the cost of governance, while deceiving Nigerians.
CUPP in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Secretary, Ameh Peter, described the inclusion of Tinubu's sons as a clear case of mismanagement of public finances and an obvious manifestation of corruption in government.
"In what capacity is Seyi Tinubu and Yinka Tinubu, (sons of Bola A. Tinubu) traveling to Qatar on the official list of Nigeria’s delegation to Qatar," CUPP questioned.
"While Tinubu is busy deceiving Nigerians that he is serious about cutting down the cost of governance, he is increasing such cost through the backdoor with a bloated list of dignitaries which includes his family members.
"Slots that should have been given to professionals who are well equipped to negotiate a good deal for our collapsing economy and Country.
"His children have no idea or experience required in this business of international affairs and relations with bilateral trade between countries."
CUPP decried that nepotism in Tinubu's administration was "why his government has brought more misery to the Nigerian people than any government in the history of our country.
"This is a clear case of mismanagement of public finances and an obvious sign of corruption in government."