Nigerian MPs' African Nations Cup trip sparks anger

Vincent. · Post by **Vincent.** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:03 pm

Nigeria MPs' African Nations Cup trip sparks anger

LAGOS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Nigerian government is facing angry protests over plans to send 20 politicians on an expenses-paid trip to the African Nations Cup in Tunisia.

A radio phone-in programme was inundated by demands that the trip be shelved.

"They're going there to waste Nigeria's taxpayers money when many of us are swimming in poverty," said fan Jones Afebi on the Lagos-based programme Brila FM.

Government sources estimate the trip will cost around $20,000 per head. The average national wage in Nigeria is around $50 a month.

Another supporter feared the politicians would also try to meddle in team affairs.

"They should watch the matches on television at home and not go and cause distractions in the camp like (they did) in Mali," fan Jim Maduka said.

Internal wranglings among players, politicians and officials dogged the Nigerian squad during the 2002 tournament in Mali.

The Nations Cup begins on Saturday. Nigeria open their campaign on Tuesday against Morocco.

Bubus · Post by **Bubus** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:17 pm

We don't want any fat bellied politiefs in that camp o... not with tax payers money. Even Orji Uzor Kalu should not be allowed in camp. We know he loves soccer... we also do.

Post by **juventuss** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:17 pm

here we go again.

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:20 pm

When are we going to learn?

Guv007 · Post by **Guv007** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:00 am

Can't they pay their way?

Kako · Post by **Kako** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:12 am

Dem wan go give dem MORAL support

Post by **juventuss** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:17 am

they can give them moral support from their TV's

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:18 am

Politics at it's lowest level.

Kako · Post by **Kako** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:22 am

juventuss wrote:they can give them moral support from their TV's

Dat one no go do dem u know

dem want take girl friends, claim estacodes and the whole enchilida

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:34 am

Dis na big shame, wen country dey in turmoil.

Molue Conductor · Post by **Molue Conductor** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:42 am

naija sef

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:58 am

Wahala tie wrapper.

somebody · Post by **somebody** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:13 am

Is that what they were elected to do?

These ppl sha

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:14 am

somebody wrote:Is that what they were elected to do?

These ppl sha

e get as e be oo

Shownoja · Post by **Shownoja** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:50 am

This is OBJ trying to buy support for the now disgraced fuel tax.

marloski · Post by **marloski** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:54 am

Damn it.Lagos dey hot,people dey die for PH and these buffons are using government money to go and do nothing in Tunisia.
This is very sad :x

ruff'n'tuff · Post by **ruff'n'tuff** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:56 am

marloski wrote:Damn it.Lagos dey hot,people dey die for PH and these buffons are using government money to go and do nothing in Tunisia.
This is very sad :x

dis one don pass be careful.

ROSSIKE · Post by **ROSSIKE** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:09 am

This trip, if it does indeed proceed, will constitute a most inappropriate use of public funds.

This is why I maintain that we need to change the political system to reflect more our culture, so that we can create the sort of grassroots-based checks on power that will eliminate these ludicrous occurences.

Nobleman · Post by **Nobleman** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:26 am

As government dey pay for people to go to Mecca and Jerusalem, na so some people think say government must pay for them to watch soccer in Tunis.

Na wha for my beloved country !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE !

Egunje · Post by **Egunje** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:37 am

Not to talk of their mistresses as extra baggage.