Okonjo-Iweala calls for unity amid criticism over omission of Tinubu in pictures of presidents

The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has lamented the level of disunity in Nigeria, describing the situation as sad.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala spoke on Saturday, via her verified Twitter handle, in response to the allegation that she snubbed Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, during the just-concluded Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France.

The former Nigeria’s finance minister had posted photographs with some participating African Presidents including that of Senegal, Macky Sall; South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, at the Summit, which was also attended by President Tinubu.

Supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general election, especially the ‘Obi-dients’, hailed Okonjo-Iweala for purportedly snubbing Tinubu at the global event.

Consequently, many Nigerians including supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleged that the WTO boss deliberately cropped Tinubu out of the photographs despite his attendance of the Summit convened by the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

But, amid the false claims and counter-claims, Okonjo-Iweala took to her verified Twitter handle on Saturday, to debunk the allegations against her.

She shared more photographs she took at the Summit with President Tinubu, Nigerian businessman, Tony Elumelu and others, noting that photographs with other African Presidents earlier posted by her were done in the order she received them from her accompanying staff and colleagues at the event.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala said ascribing any ulterior motive or meaning to her action (order of posting her photographs) was unnecessary and unwarranted even as she called for unity of purpose and cessation of further attacks by Nigerians.

“Nigerians please relax! Re Paris, Interesting attacks from both sides. Sadly shows the depth of polarisation in our society. I post photos in the order received by accompanying staff or colleagues. Reading more into it is unwarranted. Let’s unite to build our country not attack!”, her tweet read.