TheCable

Some Nigerians have criticised President Bola Tinubu over the large size of his convoy upon his arrival in Lagos on Tuesday. 

The president was received at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state; Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; Kayode Egbetokun, the acting inspector-general of police; and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, after an official trip abroad.

On his arrival, the 81 Division of the army as well as personnel from the navy and air force mounted a guard of honour for the president.

Videos circulating online showed Tinubu being accompanied from the airport by a convoy of over 100 vehicles.

The videos have elicited reactions on social media with many criticising the president for “wasting the country’s resources”.

After observing the Eid al-Adha prayers at Dodan Barracks prayer ground in Lagos earlier in the day, Tinubu asked Nigerians to make “sacrifices” for the prosperity of the country.

Waste public funds.. even Putin never pull up this kind convoy Na wa o

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— Khalifa (@_BigKhalifa) June 28, 2023

What's the essence of these outrageous convoys following just one person? Isn't this a waste of government funds? Nah, Nigeria is dead and gone.

— Lagos Cinematographer (@naturalboifilmz) June 28, 2023

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Mr. Bola Tinubu’s convoy in Lagos is another reminder that the political class is not ready to make the sacrifices which they expect from citizens. A nation that has a devastating debt burden shouldn’t be run this way. Those defending the monstrous convoy don’t wish Nigeria well.

— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) June 28, 2023

The people that are being pauperised daily and buying fuel at N550 per liter are busy defending Tinubu's long convoy in a country that is currently using 95% of their revenues to service debts.
Most Nigerians will support wasteful leadership as far as the leader is from their

— chijiоke, Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering(Affidavit). (@Ekwulu) June 28, 2023

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President Tinubu heading to Aso Villa with a flamboyant convoy of PMS-guzzling vehicles on return from his first foreign trip.

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He ended petrol subsidy and asked the country to sacrifice, but when is government going to cut cost of governance?pic.twitter.com/Ri8r943Unn

— JolibaLive TweetNews! (@jolibalive) June 28, 2023

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Over 100 vahicles on tinubu the place holder's convoy.
What is the cost of fueling each vehicle & allowance of those manning them ?They can not make sacrifice, but they expect the already impoverished Nigerians to make sacrifice.
Fuel subsidy| 1k proof of ownership| Arise news. https://t.co/Ih997KUQSj

— @jerry_A.C (@JerryChinge) June 27, 2023

This is too much sha I think they should cut down this convoy even we ordinary citizens don cut the number of cars we have on the road at the same time

— Elphizzy (@Iamharphyz) June 27, 2023

This is a waste of funds. I know a lot of Uber drivers who had parked their car due to the removal of fuel subsidy & at same time universities just resuming are increasing tuition fees. So, why’s the government not cutting cost?

— Mojevwe (@OJEZS) June 27, 2023

And all these vehicles are being fueled by taxpayers' money. A country where many are classified as being multidimensionally poor.

Una well done

— Dr Uzoma Ajegbo (BBM) (@Drmuzoic) June 28, 2023

Some Nigerians, however, argued that the numerous cars also involved convoys of other dignitaries such as the governor of Lagos.

i doubt it's just him.
many other persons like Lagos governor must have joined in "welcoming" him home.
it was like home coming for him

— kéji Akinwale 🇳🇬 (@akinwale_keji) June 28, 2023

For security reasons the president cannot reduce his convoy. If you noticed most of the convoy are security details. The president was joined by Lagos state gov, political appointee and people seeking appointments. It was an homecoming

— Deximal (@GreatDeximal) June 28, 2023

While away, the president attended the new global financial pact summit in Paris, France.

The two-day summit, organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, was convened to explore opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges.