TICAD9 booth mirrors Nigerians’ misery, Tinubu’s empty hope, progress: Peter Obi
Peter Obi has reacted to the trending debate on Nigeria’s deserted booth at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference. He said the situation reflected President Bola Tinubu’s “empty promises and governance” back home.
“The empty Nigerian booths in the ongoing Ninth Tokyo International Conference, TICAD9, in Japan do not just define the empty promises of this government for the past two years, they also reflect the consistent emptiness Nigerians have been fed at home by this government,” Mr Obi said in a statement on Wednesday.
He added, “The empty booths at TICAD are not just about a diplomatic embarrassment, they are a clear symbol of the hollow promises and empty governance that our citizens have endured.”
The former Anambra governor further noted that just as those booths stood empty in Japan, “so too have the lives of millions of Nigerians been left empty, with empty hope, empty relief and empty of the progress they were promised”.
“The truth is unavoidable; the empty booths abroad are a physical reminder of the empty promises at home,” said the politician. “We must do better as a nation. Even the defence being put forward by the government, that they only wanted to have more ‘strategic engagements’, is the same tired excuse we have heard over and over again.”
Mr Obi’s statement comes shortly after a Nigerian at the conference, Idris Ayodeji Bello, posted photos of a deserted Nigerian booth on social media on Wednesday.
“I hate to show negative things about Nigeria, but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan. Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan,” Mr Bello lamented,” Mr Bello posted on social media, sparking reactions from Nigerians back home.
Reacting to Mr Bello’s post on X, the ministry said, “Contrary to a tweet made by a participant at TICAD, the Nigerian Booth at #TICAD9 has not yet been opened. The booth will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 21st August 2025, after which it will become fully operational and serve the delegates of TICAD.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 5
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria wins silver in men’s 4x100m, Usoro claims long jump silver
Team Nigeria concluded day nine of the 2026 Commonwealth Games with one gold, two silver medals and one bronze medal.
States
Soludo’s wife advocates healthy lifestyles to reduce lung cancer
The governor’s wife called on Nigerians to prioritise early detection of lung cancer and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Heading 1
2027: INEC publishes Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s credentials
The documents, displayed in Form EC9 at INEC offices nationwide, contained the candidates’ educational qualifications, work history, and affidavits, among others.
NationWide
Afrobeats can drive campaigns against drug abuse, human trafficking, says Marwa
Mr Marwa said Afrobeats, as a globally recognised music genre embraced by young people, possesses enormous potential to influence positive behaviour.
Africa
U.S. reaffirms recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara
Mr Trump said Washington remained firm in its position on the disputed territory.
Africa
WHO reports largest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
The WHO said the outbreak had spread to five provinces, affecting 49 health zones, with sustained transmission, rising infections and increasing deaths reported nationwide.
