The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the decision by President Bola Tinubu to appoint his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to lead a delegation that includes elected state governors on an official mission to Canada.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raised the concern on Saturday in a post on his X account, questioning why an unelected presidential aide should head governors who were elected by Nigerians.
President Tinubu had approved a Federal Government delegation to represent Nigeria at the first Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada.
Gbajabiamila was named as the leader of the delegation, which includes governors from Borno, Anambra, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara states.
The governors on the delegation are Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Some ministers are also expected to be part of the Nigerian delegation to the event, which is focused on investment and economic engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora.
Reacting to the arrangement, Abdullahi questioned the decision to place the Chief of Staff, who is appointed by the President, ahead of elected governors on an international assignment.
The ADC spokesman described the arrangement as improper and said it raised questions about the way the Tinubu administration handles elected public officials.
He argued that governors derive their authority from elections and therefore questioned why a presidential aide should lead them on a foreign government mission.
The criticism comes as the ADC continues to position itself as an opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party has been involved in political activities aimed at strengthening its structure and attracting political figures as preparations for the next general elections gather momentum.
The Canada conference is expected to provide an avenue for the Nigerian delegation to engage members of the Nigerian diaspora and potential investors on opportunities within the country.
The Federal Government has continued to promote diaspora investment as part of its efforts to attract capital and deepen economic partnerships outside Nigeria.
However, the ADC said the leadership structure of the delegation deserved reconsideration, particularly because of the presence of elected governors.
The party maintained that the choice of who should lead such a delegation should take into account the constitutional and political status of the officials involved.