An investigation has revealed how Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors and other politicians spent over N265 million to visit the National Leaders of All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in London, United Kingdom (UK).
No fewer than 58 top politicians and political office holders in the country have spent millions of naira to visit the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in London, United Kingdom (UK), Daily Trust reports. Tinubu, an influential member of the ruling party has been in London for medical attention in the last three months. Allies of the former Lagos State governor said he had undergone knee surgery and he is currently undertaking physiotherapy.
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Since August 12, when President Muhammadu Buhari visited him at Duchess Mews, Portland Place, Central London home, his political godsons, admirers and supporters have turned the residence into a Mecca of a sort. Buhari was in the United Kingdom like Tinubu for medical attention.
Tinubu is one of the top shots of the APC said to be eyeing the presidency. There have been controversies over the reported pact between him and President Buhari on the 2023 presidency. Governors who have so far visited include Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Umar Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), who was in the United Kingdom for his son’s graduation.
Ganduje, his son, Muhammad; two lawmakers- Kabiru Alhassan Rurum and Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi visited Tinubu.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila was also there. Traditionally, the speaker travels with some of his aides.
The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa and Rep. James Faleke (APC, Ikeja) were also there.
After Sanwo-Olu’s visit, a delegation of Lagos State government, comprising the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde; Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo and Special Adviser on Education, Tokunbo Wahab was also there.
Others who have visited London to see the Asiwaju include Senators Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East); Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central); Adeola Solomon (Lagos Central), Adelere Oriolowo (Osun West) and Mohammed Sani (Niger East). Former APC National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), Adekunle Akanbi, National President of ALGON, Kolade Alabi and Lagos State secretary of the association, Rasaq Ajala.
The Isolo LCDA Chairman in Lagos, Otunba Adebayo Olasoju, Lagos lawmakers – Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaiye 1); Nureni Akinsanya (Mushin 1); Sylvester Ogunkelu (Epe 2); a delegation of the Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC) comprising Senator Anthony Adefuye, Mr Wale Edun and Mrs Idiat Adebule, a former deputy governor, had also visited him.
Also in London for Tinubu were four former governors, Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Senator Kashim Shettima (Borno). Senator Abu Ibrahim and Hon Usman Zanna were also there.
The latest visitors to him were members of the Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives led by Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase.
The entourage was made up of 20 lawmakers including the Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulata; Chairman, House Committee on the Army, Abdulrazak Namdas; Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue), daughter of former President of the Senate, David Mark; Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), Abubakar Lado Suleja (APC, Niger) and 13 others.
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N265m spent on trips – Estimate
Minus President Buhari, Ganduje and three others who were in the United Kingdom for personal reasons, 53 persons were in London for the former Lagos State governor.
With the increasing prices of tickets, at least each visitor would have spent between N4m and N5m on First Class or Business Class return tickets to the UK, based on our findings from travel agents.
This put the money spent by those who visited Tinubu at N265m for the 53 politicians.
This is in addition to other expenses on hotel accommodation in London, feeding, among others. An average room in a hotel per night costs between 150 and 200 pounds (N90, 000 and N120, 000), according to information obtained from some travel and leisure companies.
A British Airways non-stop return first-class ticket from Nigeria to London costs between $7000 (N4m at the rate of N570 to a dollar) and $10000 (N5.7m).
A Business Class ticket on the other hand costs between $4000 and $6000 depending on the time the booking was done.
