Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has raised concerns and criticized Nigeria’s extensive 1411-member delegation to the ongoing UN climate summit in Dubai.
In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, Obi expressed disappointment, saying, “In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at COP28 in Dubai.”
He highlighted the stark contrast in budgets between China and Nigeria, noting that China’s budget for 2024 is approximately $4 trillion, while Nigeria’s budget is significantly lower at about $33 billion. Obi specifically criticized the composition of the Nigerian delegation, stating that most members are “non-relevant civil servants or relations, friends and hangers-on of high government officials.”
Questioning the rationale behind such a large contingent, Obi emphasized that many members “hardly understand or have anything to do with climate change” while the majority of Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities.
The former governor of Anambra State expressed his hope for a future where Nigeria can focus on competing with nations like China in terms of productivity and poverty alleviation. He urged the government to prioritize spending based on necessity and national priority, emphasizing the need to eliminate wasteful practices.
Obi reiterated his belief in the possibility of a new Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of adopting reasonable and necessary measures for the country’s development.