The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has lashed out at key ministers in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over their planned trip to London for an international press conference aimed at unveiling the administration’s “achievements and legacy projects.”
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, HURIWA described the proposed event as a “monumental show of irresponsibility” and “an extravagant, tone-deaf public relations jamboree” that disregards the suffering of millions of Nigerians.
The statement, signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned the plan as a wasteful expenditure of public funds at a time when the country is grappling with severe economic hardship, rising insecurity, and a crumbling infrastructure.
Reports indicate that a delegation of top government officials—including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo—alongside other heads of agencies, will travel to the UK for an international media briefing.
The event is being allegedly coordinated by Bode Adeyemi, Project Internal Coordinator of the President Bola Tinubu Midterm Legacy Projects Review Committee.
The aim of the London trip, according to organizers, is to highlight the administration’s achievements as it approaches the midterm mark.
However, HURIWA argues that such an event, held on foreign soil, is both insensitive and unnecessary, especially considering the current economic and social challenges plaguing Nigeria.
“It is both disgraceful and inexcusable that ministers who have failed to communicate transparently with Nigerians at home, failed to provide effective public services, and failed to deliver tangible improvements to citizens’ daily lives, are now jetting off to the UK to tell foreigners fairytales of imaginary success stories,” HURIWA said.
The association questioned why a government that has been unable to address fundamental issues of poverty, insecurity, and infrastructural decay would prioritize a foreign media event over meaningful domestic engagement.
“Is it in London that the Tinubu government suddenly finds Nigerians who need to be told what they have ‘achieved’? Or is this just another elitist vanity project to wine and dine with diaspora allies and launder the administration’s image abroad?” HURIWA queried.
HURIWA also took aim at several of the administration’s policies, blaming them for worsening the plight of ordinary Nigerians. The reckless removal of fuel subsidies without social safety measures, the floating of the naira leading to a currency crisis, soaring inflation, and widespread insecurity were all cited as examples of the administration’s governance failures.
“These are not achievements to be celebrated abroad but failures to be accounted for at home,” Onwubiko stated.
The group further accused the government of prioritizing propaganda over good governance, stressing that no foreign press conference could erase the harsh realities faced by Nigerians.
HURIWA demanded the immediate cancellation of the London event and called on the National Assembly to summon the ministers involved to explain the purpose, cost, and expected outcomes of the trip. The association raised concerns over transparency and questioned whether the National Assembly had approved the expenditure.
“It is hypocritical for the same ministers who ask Nigerians to endure hunger and suffering for future gains to embark on a luxury tour of Europe under the guise of promoting ‘legacy projects,’” the statement read.
The association also criticized statements from the APC UK Chapter Chairman, Tunde Doherty, who had suggested that the London conference would help “present the right narrative” about the Tinubu administration. HURIWA warned that any attempt to suppress the truth and mislead the international community would not succeed.
“No amount of choreographed press conferences in London can erase the suffering of Nigerians. The real narrative is what the world sees on the streets of Nigeria—not what is staged in a Hilton ballroom in London,” Onwubiko emphasized.
“The people deserve better. Nigeria deserves leaders who will stay at home, roll up their sleeves, and work for the common good—not those who seek global validation while their citizens suffer. If there are achievements, let them be seen and felt, not announced from overseas podiums,” the association declared.
