**Controversy Surrounds Defence Minister and NSA's UK Trip with President Tinubu** A recent visit by President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom has sparked controversy, with a former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections in Lagos, **Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour**, criticizing the decision of the Minister of Defence, **General Christopher Musa (rtd)**, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), **Nuhu Ribadu**, to accompany the President on the trip. According to reports, President Tinubu's visit to the UK took place on *February 17-23, 2024*. During this period, he held meetings with British officials, including *Prime Minister Rishi Sunak*. The trip was seen as an opportunity for the President to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK. However, some have questioned the necessity of the Defence Minister and NSA's presence on the trip, citing the potential cost to the Nigerian taxpayer. In an interview on *Arise Television's Morning Show* on *February 26, 2024*, Rhodes-Vivour expressed his disappointment with the decision to send the Defence Minister and NSA on the trip. "I think it's a waste of resources," he stated. "We have so many pressing issues in this country that require our attention, and yet we're sending our Defence Minister and NSA to the UK for what seems like a pleasure trip." Rhodes-Vivour's criticism is not the first of its kind. Some Nigerians have taken to social media to express their discontent with the decision, citing the potential costs and the lack of transparency surrounding the trip. The Defence Ministry has not released an official statement on the trip, fueling speculation and criticism. The controversy surrounding the Defence Minister and NSA's UK trip highlights the ongoing debate about the role of the military in Nigeria's politics and the need for greater transparency in government decision-making. As the country continues to grapple with security challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry, many are questioning whether the Defence Minister and NSA's presence on the trip was justified. In a statement, the Defence Ministry has maintained that the Defence Minister's trip was necessary for **"diplomatic and security engagements"**. However, the exact nature and cost of these engagements remain unclear, leaving many to wonder about the true purpose of the trip.