Renowned Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he perceives as exposing Nigeria to ridicule during the president’s recent two-week private visit to France.
In an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, Falana expressed concern about the lack of official recognition for Nigeria’s president during the private visit and questioned the constitutionality of such trips.
“I hope this will be the last time that a president of Nigeria will expose the country to embarrassment and ridicule by going to a country where his presence is not recognized,” Falana said.
“There is no provision in the constitution for a private visit by the Nigerian president. Therefore, he cannot go on a private visit and still be running the country.
“So to the extent that the activities of the state are still being conducted by him, the question of a private visit does not arise,” he added.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria, with the largest concentration of black people globally, to carry itself with dignity on the international stage.
Falana asserted that the Nigerian constitution does not provide for a private visit by the president, and therefore, Tinubu, in running the country’s affairs from abroad, contradicts the concept of a private visit.
He criticized the decline in Nigeria’s diplomatic status, contrasting the recognition given to late Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti during private visits to France with the lack of official recognition for the current president.
The lawyer also criticized Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s trip to Grenada to attend a birthday party, stating that a state governor does not conduct foreign affairs.
Falana suggested that the subsequent call to the Grenadian Prime Minister was an attempt to make the trip look official and cover its potential embarrassment.
During the interview, Falana addressed the state of Nigeria’s judiciary, acknowledging a minority of judges who remain loyal to their oath of office. However, he highlighted systemic issues such as poor wages, inadequate funding, and a lack of judicial autonomy as factors that contribute to corruption within the judiciary.
