The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to provide a breakdown of expenses for the delegates representing Nigeria at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Reports from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) revealed that Nigeria boasts 1,411 participants, making it the third-highest delegate count among the 81,027 registered attendees, matching China’s figures. Furthermore, Nigeria has the largest delegation from Africa attending the summit.
The composition of the Nigerian delegates includes ministers, governors, presidential special advisers, and notable members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Criticism has mounted against the federal government for allegedly using public funds to sponsor delegates, prompting outcry from Nigerian citizens.
In a statement released on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, accused the Tinubu-led administration of misusing the country’s limited resources.
The opposition party criticised the president for allegedly including personal associates, associates, and individuals linked with the presidency, describing the move as wasteful and reckless.
The PDP called for transparency, demanding that the federal government discloses the names of the officially sponsored delegation, justifying their relevance to the conference, and the total cost of sponsorship.
The party further urged the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional authority and launch an investigation into the matter, pursuant to Section 88 of the Constitution, and penalise those found responsible for any misuse of public funds.
Additionally, the PDP demanded that President Tinubu be prepared to reimburse any misappropriated funds used to sponsor individuals with no meaningful contribution to the conference, advocating for redirecting such funds to projects that directly benefit Nigerians’ welfare.
The statement read, “Our party challenges the presidency to come clean by making public the names of the official delegation sponsored by the federal government to the conference, the relevance of such individuals to the Conference and the total cost of such sponsorship on the nation,” the statement reads.
“Of course, Nigerians have the list and they know the genuine officials of sub-national governments and other self-sponsored entities at the conference.
“The PDP calls on the national assembly, pursuant to its constitutional duty under Section 88 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which empowers it to investigate and expose corruption by any organ of government, to immediately commence investigation into this embarrassing revelation and impose appropriate sanction on anyone or Institution found culpable in that regard.
“Our party also demands that President Tinubu should be ready to refund any federal government funds improperly spent to sponsor any individual who has no relevance at the conference.
“Such funds should be channelled to projects that have direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
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