Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (ADC), has voiced strong criticism against the Nigerian government, pointing to a perceived lack of sensitivity and misguided priorities. He highlighted a stark disconnect between the administration's engagement in overseas diplomacy and the pressing security challenges within the country.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Rhodes-Vivour specifically addressed President Bola Tinubu's recent trip to the United Kingdom and the composition of the delegation. He expressed his dismay, stating, “In relation to the trip to England, the thing that jumps out at me is how the NSA and the defence boss were there in England, sipping tea, most likely, in Buckingham Palace or wherever, while bombs were going off in Maiduguri. I cannot reconcile that. And with the history of things and how things were before Donald Trump even started talking about safety and terrorism and Christian genocide, I cannot reconcile the insensitivity and the carelessness of this government.
He drew a parallel to past criticisms directed at previous administrations, noting, “I remember they were talking about Goodluck Jonathan before they came in, how it was “Bring Back Our Girls” and all that. But look at what is happening. I’m seeing people sipping tea in England. I think that is completely disgraceful.”
Rhodes-Vivour also commented on the broader implications of international agreements finalised during the UK visit. While acknowledging the significance of international trade and foreign investment, he urged caution, suggesting that such deals should not overshadow the nation's long-term development goals. He raised concerns about the practical benefits of certain agreements, using the example of loans for port infrastructure that might necessitate importing materials like steel from the UK, potentially hindering the growth of domestic industries.
"In relation to deals that they signed, international business, international trade is important for every country. But every country should also have this vision to make sure that they get the better end of the deal.
"I’m not quite sure that we got the better end of the deal if we’re looking at okay, you get a loan to repair your ports and then you have to buy steel from England, when we should think about how we can energise our own steel manufacturing. And this comes with vision and leadership and a bigger vision for productivity in the country, which unfortunately is lacking.
"It’s not just about bringing money. What is the development impact on your country? And I think that’s an important factor. It should not just be about headlines. There’s a lot more that drives development in the country,” he elaborated.
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