Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has lambasted Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers after their visa applications for the Invictus Winter Games were rejected by the Canadian High Commission.
Odinkalu described the visa denial as a well-deserved embarrassment, questioning why over 70 top military officers, led by the CDS, sought to travel to Canada for a winter sports event while Nigeria battles crippling insecurity and economic hardship.
In a fiery critique, Odinkalu ridiculed the rationale behind the trip, wondering why a tropical West African nation would prioritize attending a winter sports competition.
“How does anyone justify a delegation of over 70 officers, led by the CDS, to the Invictus Winter Games? When did Nigeria start doing winter?” he asked in a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter).
Beyond the sheer absurdity of the trip, he also raised concerns about protocol violations, revealing that the delegation applied for visas without notifying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
“And why would a delegation with the Chief of Defence Staff at its head be applying for visas for an official trip behind the back of the MFA? How foolish and irresponsible are we supposed to be?” Odinkalu questioned.
Rather than admit the diplomatic blunder, Odinkalu accused the Nigerian government of resorting to petulant outrage, with top officials—including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu—leading what he called a “disgraceful lineup” of complaints against Canada.
He slammed the administration’s handling of the situation, stating that instead of attacking Canada, Nigeria should issue an apology and take disciplinary action against those responsible for the international embarrassment.
“We may be lawless, but other countries are not obliged to follow us in that,” he wrote.
“Instead of abusing the Canadian High Commission, the Nigerian government owes them an apology. In a proper system, there would be an investigation, as well as consequences for those who have brought this kind of disgrace upon the country.”
Odinkalu’s outburst underscores a broader pattern of misgovernance and misplaced priorities within Nigeria’s leadership, where government officials pursue personal comfort and foreign trips while security challenges escalate back home.
With Nigerians facing rising terrorism, banditry, and economic hardship, the visa scandal has reignited public outrage over wasteful government spending and lack of accountability among the nation’s elite.
Odinkalu concluded his remarks with a sharp rebuke:
“These people should stop disgracing themselves.”
PIONEER NEWS 