The Nigerian Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the country’s extensive delegation of 1,411 individuals to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, UAE. The PDP alleges that the delegation is “over-bloated” and consists of President Bola Tinubu’s associates and political allies, posing a significant expense to the nation.
Additionally, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, condemned the large team and urged the government to focus on building Nigeria’s capacity to compete with China rather than wasting resources on excessive delegate sponsorship. However, a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Tope Ajayi, defended the large delegation, emphasizing its importance and dispelling claims of jamboree. Ajayi clarified that many private sector individuals paid their way to the conference, and the delegation’s participation was crucial.
Despite this, the PDP maintained that the delegation’s size reflected a wasteful and reckless approach to resource allocation by the APC administration. Peter Obi echoed concerns about the delegation’s composition, emphasizing the need to prioritize production and cut governance costs. Ajayi provided additional context, highlighting the diverse representation of government officials, businesses, journalists, and civil society in the delegation.
He clarified that the presence of delegates did not imply government sponsorship and argued that Nigeria, as a significant player in climate action, naturally had a substantial delegation. Ajayi noted the participation of influential figures from various sectors, emphasizing their commitment to promoting sustainability and climate actions. He countered criticisms by underscoring the global significance of the UN Climate summit, with over 97,000 delegates from various countries converging to address climate change.
Ajayi defended the delegation’s size, stating that it was a reflection of the multifaceted nature of climate issues and the need for expertise from diverse fields. He highlighted the technical sessions, negotiations, and financing discussions scheduled for COP28, where decisions with far-reaching implications would be addressed. Ajayi pointed out that state governors from Nigeria actively participated in COP28, presenting sustainability projects and engaging with development partners.
He compared the delegation sizes of China and Brazil, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive representation in critical climate discussions. In particular, he highlighted President Tinubu’s leadership in advocating for a fair and just climate deal for Africa, addressing concerns related to energy transition and ensuring that decisions consider Africa’s unique challenges.
Ajayi refuted claims of jamboree, asserting that President Tinubu and the Nigerian delegation were engaged in serious business, with the President actively representing the country’s interests and holding bilateral meetings.
