Tinubu Cancels AFCON Trip To Côte D’Ivoire After Backlashes, Delegates Shettima To Lead Nigerian Delegation

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled plans to watch the Africa Cup of Nations final live in Abidjan between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and host country Côte d’Ivoire.

Tinubu, who has come under fire since news filtered from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that he was billed to attend the final match on Sunday, has now delegated his vice, Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead the presidential team in support of the Super Eagles on Sunday.

Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed the decision of the president on Saturday in a release.

It had earlier been reported that the President, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, had confirmed that Tinubu would be present at the stadium on Sunday to watch the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Motsepe, who disclosed this during a Media briefing shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday afternoon, had also urged Nigeria to bid for the FIFA World Cup.

Motsepe had said. “If you haven’t been to Lagos, you have never been in Africa… The President of Nigeria (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday I was told. I would have a conversation with him about it.”

Motsepe’s statement had elicited reactions from Nigerians, as many criticised the president for failing to show up to console victims of Plateau Christmas Eve massacre that claimed the lives of over 200 citizens and recent Bodija explosion in Ibadan that killed five and destroyed several houses.

An X user, @holusojy70, said, “He didn’t deem it fit to visit the people of plateau during their grieving period, Ibadan blast and the victims werent of importance to Him but AFCON final is of great importance to him.”

“I hope our goals won’t be gone like SUBSIDY. He should please stay in Aso Rock and watch from there. The team will bring the trophy home for him. Let him be in charge of the economy and Shetima in charge of security. We would appreciate Obi to be with the supporters,” @oladare_ayod said on X.

@Paledian, however, queried why Nigerians are optimistic and promote the country.

He wrote: “I don’t understand why many Nigerians don’t have a confidence in Nigeria hosting.

“This will promote your country in so mang ways. 2010 changed South Africa in so many ways.

“Just bid”