The Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has expressed outrage over the decision of Adamawa State Local Government officials to sponsor a luxury trip to Istanbul, Turkey, under the guise of “leadership training.”
The delegation, which includes the wives of 21 Local Government Chairmen, senior ministry officials, and spouses of Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries, has been described by CHRICED as a “shocking betrayal of public trust.”
In a statement,signed by CHRICED Communications Officer,Furera Isiaka.
The organisation dismissed the trip as nothing more than a taxpayer-funded vacation at a time when pensioners in Adamawa are left waiting for their entitlements, workers face unpaid salaries, and communities grapple with poverty, illiteracy, and decaying infrastructure.
“Let us be clear: this is not leadership development. It is reckless, wasteful, and obscene,” CHRICED declared.
CHRICED noted that, According to estimates, each participant will spend over ₦3 million on flights alone, not including accommodation, feeding, and allowances. With the size of the delegation, the overall cost could run into hundreds of millions of naira.
The group questioned the rationale for holding such training abroad, stressing that globally recognised institutions within Nigeria could provide more effective, transparent, and affordable training.
“What unique wisdom does Istanbul offer that cannot be found in Abuja, Lagos, or Yola?” CHRICED asked.
CHRICED urged anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate the trip, warning that the scale and secrecy surrounding it could indicate financial misconduct or even money laundering. The organisation insisted that those responsible must be held accountable if wrongdoing is established.
The group also cautioned that allowing such trips to continue unchecked could set a dangerous precedent where families of public officials are routinely placed on the government payroll and sponsored on frivolous foreign junkets, while citizens’ real needs are neglected.
“This scandal reflects a deeper rot — leadership without credibility, compassion, or competence,” the statement read.
CHRICED therefore called on oversight institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens of Adamawa State to demand an end to wasteful governance and to ensure public resources are redirected toward education, healthcare, security, and critical infrastructure.