The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has come to the defence of some governors and other Nigerians attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in South Africa, despite federal government’s withdrawal from the summit.
According to him, they were already in South Africa for the summit before Nigeria announced its decision to pull out, adding that their attendance is not an affront to the decision of the Federal Government.
Giving update on government’s action on the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians to State House Correspondents, Onyeama explained that the WEF is an international function, that was not organized by South Africa.
He said: “First thing to realize is that the World Economic Forum is not a South African government initiative, it is a Swiss based mechanism which takes place in different places. So, it is not a question of disobedience, they were there already before this decision.“
The governors in attendance include the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Other Nigerians participating are former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Jim Ovia and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II.
