Former minister of Education and a renowned critic of the Buhari led Government, Oby Ezekwesili seems to have incurred the wrath of Nigerians for attending the World Economic Forum taking place in South Africa.
Recall that the presidents of DRC, Rwanda, Nigeria are among the African leaders who have all boycotted the event following the recent xenophobic attacks unleashed on foreigners, especially Nigerians in South Africa.
Bashir Ahmaad, aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, on his Twitter page disclosed that Ezekwesili, Jim Ovia and some other Nigerians will still be attending WEF in South Africa on their own despite the decision of the Nigerian Government not to attend.
He wrote: “Nigerian government has boycotted the World Economic Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa, but some individuals from Nigeria including a former Minister are attending on their own.
“Madam Oby Ezekwesili, she is attending the WEF in Cape Town, South Africa.”
Ezekwesili in response to Ahmaad’s tweet said she would be attending WEF because of citizens at risk in South Africa. She noted that she does not need the permission of Buhari’s government to decide her participation in WEF.
Ezekwesili on her Twitter page wrote: “Please send that aide to school to get proper education.
“Who told him that a private citizen like me needs their Nigerian government to decide my participation at WEF ? Imagine.
I am doing more for our at-risk citizens.
Who has time for their nonsense politicking with citizens’ lives?”
Nigerians on Twitter weren’t pleased with her decision and went all out to bash her. Read some to the tweets below.
Following the protest from Nigerians, the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, withdrew from further activities at the World Economic Forum Africa 2019, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.
