Tinubu will travel to Qatar as scheduled in spite of criticism – FG

President Bola Tinubu will travel to Qatar in March as planned for bilateral talks, despite rumours that the Asian country’s authorities have rejected him.

The government of the Asian country allegedly ignored President Tinubu, according to a leaked memo discussing preparations for a side meeting between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja.

But, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared yesterday that Tinubu’s visit would proceed according to schedule.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pay a scheduled visit to the State of Qatar on March 2-3. High-level bilateral talks on a wide range of diplomatic, strategic, and economic matters will be part of the visit.

a statement yesterday by its spokesperson Francisca Omayuli read.

While commenting on the development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar said: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State of Qatar have a long history of friendship and close bilateral relations. The forthcoming visit to Doha by HE President Tinubu will help build on this important relationship.”

Meanwhile, presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga said the leaked memo claiming Qatari authorities snubbed Tinubu is the handiwork of “mischief makers”.

“The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on President Tinubu by the Qatari government,” he said in an earlier statement.

“The Note Verbale is about a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit.”

“We note the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries and affirm that the State Visit by President Bola Tinubu to Qatar is on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness, Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani,” he explained.