Presidency Denies Tinubu’s Snub By Qatar, Clarifies Leaked Diplomatic Letter

The presidency has dismissed reports that the government of Qatar snubbed President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to the country for a business parley.

Responding to a news report that cited a letter from the Qatari government rejecting Tinubu’s proposed visit from March 2-3, the Presidency said the communication was taken out of context.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the leaked diplomatic correspondence was about a private sector-led investment forum to be held on the sidelines of Tinubu’s state visit.

Onanuga dismissed insinuations that the Qatari authorities snubbed Tinubu, noting that both leaders are committed to maintaining cordial relations between Nigeria and Qatar.

The said diplomatic letter cited scheduling conflicts and lack of a formal investment agreement between both countries as reasons for not hosting Tinubu at the business forum.

The presidency, however, maintained that the state visit itself was never rejected.

Onanuga explained that the forum was being organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The presidential aide stressed that Tinubu’s planned visit to Qatar is not hinged on the investment forum.

He added that Tinubu’s visit was at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar for the purpose of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation between both countries, and as such Tinubu’s planned visit is on track.

“President Tinubu is expected to proceed to Qatar on the State Visit as scheduled and during the visit, the Nigerian leader will engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leader on many important matters, covering the full range of diplomatic and economic issues.

“It is not correct for anyone to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum which is tangential to the all-important State Visit and which President Tinubu is slated to attend as a guest.

“President Tinubu and His Highness Al-Thani are both committed to maintaining and building on the existing cordial and special relationship between Nigeria and the State of Qatar,” said Onanuga.