Reactions have continued to trail the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to delegate his Vice, Kashim Shettima, to represent him at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States
Daily Trust had reported how Tinubu confirmed that he would not be physically present at the event, making it the third consecutive UNGA he would miss in person since assuming office in 2023
The development came after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier said Tinubu would attend the 81st UNGA, indicating that provisions had been made for him to sit close to President Donald Trump during the session
In a statement on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson to the Vice President, announced that Tinubu had directed Shettima to represent him at the session
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States”
“VP Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; ministers and other senior government officials
“The 81st UNGA General Debate will hold from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all’
“At the General Debate, Senator Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation” Nkwocha said.
Some Nigerians monitoring the development have reacted to the President’s decision to stay away from the global event, asking questions as to whether his absence could be linked to fresh concerns recently raised over his alleged drug case
Leading the criticism of Tinubu’s absence is the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, who demanded a full explanation from the Nigeria’s number one citizen over his repeated absence from the UNGA
Atiku, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, asked whether the President’s documented history with United States law-enforcement agencies has become a burden on Nigeria’s foreign relations
“Tinubu cannot continue to treat Nigeria’s seat at the world’s biggest diplomatic table as though it were an inconvenient appointment that can be endlessly outsourced
“Presidential absence on the global stage has consequences UNGA is not merely a ceremonial gathering or an annual photo opportunity. Its sidelines are where leaders hold decisive bilateral meetings, court investors, negotiate trade partnerships, mobilise development finance and make the case for their countries.” Atiku said.
Netizens on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, have also reacted to the development
A Facebook user, Kemjika Hilary Kemjika, wrote, “But some people said the builder of Lagos would sit beside Trump at the UN General Assembly!”
Mutawalli Muhammad Basheer: “If president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu go enter US and attend United Nations general Assembly #UNGA I’ll definitely vote for Him in the next year’s election Oga Reno Omokri bear me witness.”
Muhammad Awwoal: “Fear of FBI is the beginning of wisdom”
Umar Abubakar Zumami: “Nigeria deserves leadership that takes important international responsibilities seriously If the President could not attend the UN General Assembly, the Presidency should clearly explain the reason and how Nigeria’s interests were adequately represented.”
Sani Saidu Yayangida: “We are patiently waiting for the response, from the Government officials on why he will not attend the 81st UNGA in New York”
Baban Yasmin: “Tinubu will never attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, may be he is afraid that what happened to Nicolas Maduro could happen to him For the past three years, he has avoided attending the UN General Assembly and has instead sent his Vice President Kashim Shetima to represent him”
Stephen Lenebari: “I wonder why people are saying Tinubu is afraid of FBI, Tinubu is a sitting president with Immunity whatever allegations can pend till he leaves office but he just decided to delegate power and there’s nothing wrong with that”
Rotimi Ayodele-Smith: “All those making noise here never knew Tinubu has been to US twice What is so special about UNGA. UNGA is a melting point for super power to vex their angers not more than that. And the same place where smaller country will meet their Waterloo because your vote against or for a super power nation can make or mar your country.”
Emeka Ozugbo: “I thought their is nothing indicting Tinubu in the FBI file according to Reno? How come oga is skipping a whole world leaders Assembly in new York”
Ibileye Benjamin Sunday: “Why is Baba Chicago afraid of visiting the US? President Tinubu ought to use this opportunity to have a reunion with his Chicago course mates”
On X, $halom, with the handle @Wunmi_Shalom, wrote, “What a shame At a time when world leaders are gathering to discuss global issues, Nigeria is once again making headlines for the wrong reasons. Over 200 million Nigerians deserve a leader whose presence opens doors, not one whose baggage becomes a national embarrassment. We cannot continue like this. Peter is the right Man for the job. Vote #OK ticket. A new Nigeria is POssible”
Abubakar Yakubu Maigana @maigana_ay: “So the VP assignment was to represent the president where vocabulary are required? Those that mean the president can’t do it himself? What a shame,didi he ever attended the UNGA ever since he assumed office?”
WildPost @PascyBuka: “It’s quite unfortunate that people are speculating that the President couldn’t attend the UNGA because of his past record or because of Trump It is possible that the President’s diplomatic passport had expired and that he couldn’t renew it before the scheduled departure date.”
Muhammad Yusuf Adam @myAdam200: “The Guilty Are Always Afraid, jhchase”
Ndayako @abdul_ndk: “Tinubu will be flying out In a private capacity, but cannot represent his country officially If you can’t show your face and represent your people along with your colleagues around the world, why not leave. #TinubuMustGo”
Lenrey Aroge @olanrewaju2sure: “Best decision to make The desperation of @atiku and the imbecile lobbying firm @batten_von caused this. Actually, the president wouldn’t be arrested, however, he might be wilfully disgraced by the Nigeria in diaspora.”
Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi @abdull_nasir: “A man declared wanted by the host country lacks the moral confidence to participate in its global gatherings His self-exile is itself an indictment. This is indeed unfortunate.~ MNA”