By SUNTV Global Channel
August 8, 2026 | Politics | Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to lead a Federal Government delegation comprising five serving state governors to an investment conference in Canada.
The opposition party described the arrangement as inappropriate, questioning why an unelected presidential aide would lead elected governors on an official foreign mission.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed the party’s position in a post on his verified X account on Friday while reacting to the composition of Nigeria’s delegation to the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference in Toronto.
Abdullahi wrote: “How can the President’s Chief of Staff, an unelected personal aide of the president, lead elected state governors on a foreign mission? It is well.”
The development followed an announcement by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) that President Tinubu had approved a high-powered delegation to represent Nigeria at the conference scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, from August 12 to 15, 2026.
According to NiDCOM, Gbajabiamila will lead the delegation, which includes five state governors: 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.
Other members of the delegation include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The conference, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is expected to bring together Nigerian government officials, members of the Nigerian diaspora, investors and business leaders to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and Nigerians living abroad.
The decision to have the President’s Chief of Staff lead the delegation has generated debate, with critics questioning the protocol surrounding the arrangement.
However, supporters of the administration have defended the decision, arguing that the Chief of Staff is a senior presidential representative whose responsibilities include coordinating official engagements on behalf of the Presidency.
The ADC’s latest criticism adds to the opposition party’s ongoing scrutiny of the Tinubu administration over governance, appointments and the exercise of executive authority.
The Presidency has consistently maintained that its administrative decisions are guided by efficiency and the national interest.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Nigerian delegation’s participation in the Canada investment conference.
