Following a successful appearance at the Paris Finance Summit, President Bola Tinubu traveled privately to London on Tuesday before arriving in Lagos State.
According to The Spectator, it was his first visit to Lagos since becoming the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 16th president. As might be expected, thousands of his supporters and political leaders, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were present to give him a state welcome.
With the lengthy convoy that escorted the president to his new private estate, what should have been a “quiet” arrival suddenly turned into some type of spectacle.
A roadside admirer’s video that leaked online showed several SUVs zooming by and behind the president’s official car.
Nigerians reacted to the video right away, frowning at such an extravagant display as the masses have seen their standard of life decline as a result of the government’s recently implemented policies.
First, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju questioned the need for the lengthy convoy in a tweet while Nigerians were already suffering from the loss of fuel subsidies.
He said, “Why does the president of the country that is the world’s center of poverty need to travel in a 120-car convoy while the same people cut off subsidies and ask the poor to make sacrifices?” in his letter.
Similarly, another Twitter user, @OpeBee, claimed that this exhibition of a convoy demonstrates the political office holders’ insensitivity to the hardships that Nigerians are currently experiencing.
“I feel very constrained to speak out on issues like this. Yesterday it was the speaker with 34 aides; today it’s the opulent display of convoys. You can’t ask the masses for austerity and live ostentatiously. I personally would not support any policy that further inflicts pain,” he lamented
He further stated that if the government doesn’t reduce waste, Nigerians will be obliged to withstand any further suffering brought on by new policies, and he questioned what sacrifices they themselves are making during this difficult time.
“If the government will refuse to cut down on “these excesses”, the masses must be ready to resist any further pain that speaks insensitively to their plight. Our leaders must lead by example.
“What are the sacrifices our leaders are making or willing to make in this painful and austere period? I am listening, someone should please educate me,” he asked.
While some begged others not to be harsh on the president, some Nigerians responded in the opposite direction, claiming that not all of the automobiles in the convoy belonged to him.
Other political luminaries, according to tweep @nut_joshua, joined the caravan.
“Well, It’s wasteful. But I’m not sure the convoy is for him alone. The convoy of top officials that went to welcome him was probably added.
Even the POTUS does not travel in a convoy of 120 cars, he tweeted.
Before heading back to Abuja after the Sallah holidays, Tinubu would spend time in Lagos.
