The Presidency has criticised former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his remarks on Nigeria’s delegation to the African CEO Forum in Rwanda and broader comments on President Bola Tinubu’s foreign engagements, describing his position as “populism over the facts.”

Obi had said diplomacy should not be reduced to ceremonies or symbolic displays, insisting that international engagements must be assessed by their economic outcomes, arguing that such engagements must translate into measurable economic benefits for citizens.

In response, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on Saturday said Obi’s comments failed to reflect the composition and purpose of Nigeria’s delegation to the Kigali event.

“It is always populism over the facts for Mr Peter Obi, but it is important to put it out there that the Nigerian entourage to the African CEO forum in Rwanda was made up of some of Nigeria’s industrial leaders,” the statement said.

The Presidency listed members of the delegation as including prominent business figures such as Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Wale Tinubu and Jim Ovia, arguing that their participation reflected the seriousness of Nigeria’s engagement at the forum.

It also defended President Tinubu’s foreign trips and diplomatic engagements, saying they are aimed at securing investment, strengthening trade relations and boosting economic confidence rather than generating “flashy headlines or staged signing ceremonies.”

“Real diplomacy goes much deeper. It is about strategic dialogue, building investor confidence, strengthening security cooperation, advancing trade discussions, and positioning the country for long-term economic gain, which President Tinubu did all of and more in Kigali and several other state visits,” the statement added.

The Presidency also pushed back against comparisons between Nigeria’s diplomatic approach and that of the United States, saying such comparisons lacked context due to differences in global influence and economic structure.

According to the statement, the Tinubu administration has already attracted investment commitments across key sectors, including energy, technology, agriculture, manufacturing and solid minerals, through sustained international engagements.

It also listed policy reforms under the administration, including fuel subsidy removal, unification of the foreign exchange market, expansion of student loan access, increased federation allocations to states, and initiatives on CNG, manufacturing support and food security.

“Diplomacy is not a reality TV show where every engagement must end in staged photo-ops before it is considered meaningful,” the statement said, adding that state visits should be assessed by their long-term economic impact rather than optics or delegation size.

The Presidency further described criticisms of delegation size and travel arrangements as misleading, insisting that presidential movements are tied to constitutional, diplomatic and security responsibilities.

It also said President Tinubu remains focused on economic recovery, investment attraction and institutional reforms aimed at long-term national development.

The statement concluded with a political jab at Obi, noting his movement across political parties in recent years, while urging him to reflect on the importance of stability in governance commentary.