IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Bola Tinubu’s presence and address at the British Royal Institute on the 2023 general elections has sparked controversy on social media.
Some Nigerians have dubbed as a show of shame, Tinubu’s inability to answer questions directed to him following his address.
The address, which is taking place at the Royal Institute of International Affairs also known as Chatham House in London, on Monday, focused on national security, economic and foreign policy imperatives.
This comes seven years after President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Chatham House on 15 February, 2015 as APC presidential candidate.
Tinubu spoke on security, economy and foreign policy at the United Kingdom’s elite Foreign and Policy Think-tank institution.
In 2011, Tinubu spoke at Chatham House on the rebirth of the opposition in Nigerian politics.
The session was titled: “Democracy and the rebirth of the opposition in Nigeria”.
This event is part of a series of events and outputs examining Nigeria’s 2023 elections and political developments.
According to videos circulating on Twitter, Tinubu was asked three questions which he redirected to other members of the party present.
He directed the first question to Dele Alake, a Nigerian journalist and technocrat, recognized as one of the hero’s of the country’s democracy.
He directed the second question to the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and the third question to Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State.
Nigerians have been reacting to the video on Twitter.
A tweep, @BlawaDaniel said: “Chatham house show of shame. You want to be the president but avoiding answering questions, instead you are re-directing the answers to El-Rufai, Alake and co. Nigerians want to be governed by a person not a robot who cannot exercise independent thought in answering questions”
@VictorIsrael said: “Obidients come and see ooooo! Chatham house asked Tinubu a question and he directed it to Nasir El-Rufai and Ayade
“This is so embarrassing 😳 how can you disgrace Nigerians in this manner?”
In another tweet, he said Chatham House is on fire, “Obidients Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dropped another bomb ooo. Chatham house is on fire 😂😂😂
“Festus Keyamo over to you for interpretation 😂😂😂😂😂😂”
@omoelerinjare tweeted: “Question Was Placed To Tinubu And He Directed The Questions To Proxies!
“Do You Want A Country Ruled By Proxies! Happening live at the Chatham house in London!!”
“How are you going to stop oil theft?
“The Chatham House rep was even about to assign the question to one of the proxies as usual, before the lion stepped up! Watch his answer!
“Are those people clapping out of amusement or ecstasy? 😢😢😢ChathamHouse,” @spotlight_abby wrote.
@sports_doctor dubbed the act an international disgrace: “It’s another BANGER!!!!
“See international disgrace, Tinubu left local match with Arise TV to go and disgrace us in Champions League in London at Chatham House.
“APC What has Nigerians done to you people 😩😩😩😩”