The London Meetings -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

As the 2023 general elections draw closer,nigerian politicians have turned London as their strategic venue or destination where they meet and reconcile their political feud or perfect their plans. Last week, at the instance of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State who fall apart with his party, top political gladiators including former president olusegun Obasanjo, PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Labour party presidential flag bearer Peter Obi were sighted in London. While Atiku jet out and met Wike to amicably resolve their lingering nay festering political feud emanated from the PDP concluded primaries and vice president running mate selection conudrum, in the other hand, Obasanjo met both Wike and Obi in a bid to solicit support for Obi’s presidency. These meetings came after Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of APC,was rumoured to have had a meeting with governor Wike in other to convince him to join the ruling party. Our politicians can globetrote and hold as many meetings as they may wish. However, the millions naira questions in the lips of nigerians waiting for answers are: why have our politicians preferred or opted for foreign countries for meetings which ordinary should have been conducted in Obudu or Yankari?

It seems these politicians are running away from the country’s insecurity, a Frankenstein monster which has defied lasting solutions. The country tourism centers which were very attractive and beehive of activities in the past had since become ghost of it is former self due to rampaging insecurity. Tourists who identified and besieged those areas to relax or enjoy the serene environment the country offers have deserted them. It is undisputable facts, tourism sector has contributed greatly towards revenues generation and jobs creation in the country. Next time, our political elites should rescind from traveling to London or other countries for their meetings, instead, patronize our local event and meeting centres in other to boost revenues generation in the country. Besides, these meetings are not for the growth and development of the country, rather convened primarily to promote their political interest.

London which our politicians cherish and love to visit attains its present status because of good governance. The former British colony invested so much in its human and capital development. Some of our ruling elites who were opportune to study or engage in business in England and other advance countries could bear witness the qualities of their leadership which translated to strong institutions leading to growth and development. It is sad,our ruling elites could not replicate or adopt some policies those countries pursued leading to their rapid socio-economy growth. The over two decades of nigerian democracy will have catapulted or leapfrogged the country to social economy development. However, this tall dream has become a mirage. What nigerians continue to experience or witness is poor governance. Corruption, poverty, nepotism, unemployment and high rate of insecurity have become the bane of our development.

The ruling elites have failed to address the multi-facet challenges plagued the country. They are more preoccupied on how to capture power as the country heads to 2023 elections season. That is why, political meetings for alignment and re-alignment or even endorsements become more frequent not in Nigeria but far away London. It is high time nigerians buried their difference and elected only Leaders who are more concerned about the problems of the country.

Let us pray that the London meetings will be fruitful and lead to the emergency of capable leadership in the country. Nigerians hope that the next meeting will be held in Nigeria not America or London.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963.