A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has launched a scathing attack on both the Nigerian and United Kingdom governments over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing state visit, describing it as “insensitive” and “an embarrassment” in the wake of deadly attacks in Maiduguri.
Frank, in a strongly worded statement, accused the UK government of being “complicit” in Nigeria’s challenges, insisting that the timing of the visit, barely 24 hours after reported killings, showed a lack of empathy for grieving Nigerians.
“I wonder how President Tinubu could travel barely 24 hours after people were killed,” Frank said. “At a time when the whole world is expressing concern over the tragedy in Nigeria, he and his retinue of Ministers and top security officials chose to go on a state visit – celebrating and drinking champagne – while Nigerians are dying.”
He described the trip as one that had caused “huge disgrace and embarrassment” for the country, noting that citizens were still mourning victims of violence when government officials were engaged in ceremonial activities abroad.
According to him, the President’s action “clearly shows he does not value Nigerians, particularly those in the North.”
“This act is not just about insensitivity; it shows he does not care. He has effectively abandoned the people to their fate,” Frank stated.
The activist also turned his criticism on the UK, accusing it of demonstrating indifference to Nigeria’s plight by going ahead with the visit and reportedly issuing hundreds of visas to members of the delegation.
“It is a shame and a disgrace that the UK government reportedly issued about 600 visas for this visit. That decision reflects total insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians,” he said.
Frank further expressed disappointment that Charles III has not raised concerns about insecurity and governance issues in Nigeria during the visit.
“We expected the King to ask the right questions – about insecurity, killings, and the situation in Nigeria – but that has not happened,” he said. “By receiving the President at such a time, there is no indication of concern or accountability.”
Drawing comparisons with the United States, he argued that President Donald Trump would have handled the situation differently.
“If this were the United States, tough questions would have been asked. Issues of insecurity, corruption and political instability would have been confronted directly,” Frank added.
He alleged that the visit amounted to an endorsement of governance failures in Nigeria, warning that such international engagements risk legitimising what he described as poor leadership.
“What is being celebrated in the UK is not the progress of Nigeria, but its decline,” he said. “This visit is not in the interest of Nigerians. It is about promoting and legitimising a leader whose record is widely questioned.”
Frank also criticised the composition of the delegation, particularly the presence of top security officials, saying their absence from the country at a critical time amounts to gross dereliction of duty.
“It is unacceptable that key security officials left the country while citizens were being killed, just to attend ceremonial events abroad,” he said.
Looking ahead, the activist urged Nigerians to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Nigerians must prepare to ensure this administration does not return. They must defend their votes and demand credible elections,” he said, expressing fears that there may be attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
He also questioned what he described as the silence of the international community.
“Are they unaware of the bombings, the insecurity and the corruption in Nigeria? Or have they chosen to ignore them?” he asked.
He alleged that the visit has clearly shown that the UK does not care about the plight of Nigerians who are dead and those continuously being terrorised but rather what they may corruptly benefit from Tinubu’s administration is all that seems to matter.
“Besides, the splendour, pomp and pageantry showcased in Windsor Castle amount to a celebration of evil and dancing on the graves of 23 dead and over 100 injured Nigerians in multiple bombings in Maiduguri on Monday evening after Iftar,” he said.
Frank insisted that the actions of the UK government “confirm alignment with the current administration despite its failings,” warning that “posterity will judge all parties involved for their lack of empathy at a time Nigerians are dying.”
