DEBORAH TOLU-KOLAWOLE discusses the efforts of Nigeria’s presidential candidates to engage with the Chatham House in London, where they present their missions and visions. In 2015, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), addressed the audience at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House. His speech, titled “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa-Nigeria’s Transition,” outlined his plans for Nigeria if elected president, covering various sectors of the country. Although the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused Buhari of bribing his way to the UK think-tank, the APC defended the integrity of Chatham House, asserting that it would not compromise its prestige for financial inducements.
In 2018, Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate, also visited Chatham House to persuade the international community of his suitability to succeed Buhari. Despite losing the presidential elections, Atiku effectively utilized the platform to promote his candidacy. This was not Atiku’s first appearance at Chatham House; he had previously spoken there in 2007 during a tense period with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, using the opportunity to share his perspective on their adversarial relationship. Chatham House describes itself on its website as a “world-leading policy institute with a mission to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world.”
Dr. Reuben Abati, a former spokesperson for President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that Nigerian politicians often treat their appearances at Chatham House as “badges of honour.” In an article published in The Cable, he remarked that while many Nigerians have spoken at Chatham House, such engagements often carry a tone of self-promotion and narcissism. This tendency has led to opponents using these forums as opportunities for confrontation. Abati expressed concern over how politicians have transformed the chance to speak at Chatham House into a symbol of prestige.
On December 5, 2022, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC’s presidential candidate, visited Chatham House, where his presentation, titled “Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Security, Economic and Foreign Policy Imperatives,” was marked by notable drama. Tinubu faced criticism for his approach, which he referred to as “team-ship,” as he delegated audience questions to his team members. On January 16, 2023, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, addressed the topic “Nigeria’s 2023 Election: A Vision for Policy Change and Institutional Reforms.” Two days later, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, shared his policy ideas for Nigeria. Although Atiku Abubakar has yet to appear at Chatham House this election cycle, he has been invited, and it is anticipated that he may accept the invitation before the elections.
Tinubu was the first of the 2023 Nigerian presidential candidates to visit Chatham House, having previously avoided local media engagements. He justified this decision by claiming that some media outlets sought to profit from his candidacy. While he did not specify which individuals he believed were trying to exploit him, he later participated in a brief interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation. During his speech at Chatham House, Tinubu identified power supply as a significant challenge for Nigeria and pledged to address it if elected. His decision to delegate questions to team members, such as directing health-related inquiries to Dr. Betta Edu and security questions to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, drew mixed reactions. While critics labeled it a “show of shame,” his supporters praised his appearance.
Peter Obi, regarded by some as a “social media” candidate, actively sought opportunities to promote his candidacy, engaging in various media and town hall meetings. At Chatham House, he highlighted issues of rising insecurity and declining economic performance, earning commendation from his supporters. Kwankwaso, despite facing challenges in gaining momentum compared to the APC and Labour Party candidates, also participated in the Chatham House discussions. His supporters, known as the ‘Kwankwasiya movement,’ celebrated his appearance, asserting it was the best thus far. During his address, Kwankwaso attributed Nigeria’s problems to poor leadership choices since 1999 and emphasized the need for change.
Some critics, including former Assistant Inspector General of Police Ambrose Aisabor and human rights activist Barrister Osagie Obayuwana, have described the invitation for Nigerian presidential candidates to speak at Chatham House as a form of neocolonialism. Aisabor argued that addressing Nigerian issues at a foreign venue is a distraction, while Obayuwana criticized the practice as a reflection of a colonial mentality, asserting that the British are not voters in Nigeria and that candidates seek approval from the British government rather than engaging with their constituents.
When contacted, Phrank Shuaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communications to the PDP candidate, stated that Atiku would not be visiting Chatham House, citing a lack of new information to present. In defense of Tinubu, Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s director of publicity, claimed that some media outlets are partisan and that Tinubu chose to engage with Chatham House due to its neutrality. Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the New Nigeria People’s Party and the Labour Party’s campaign council for comments were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to inquiries.
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