Former Senate President Pius Anyim has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, saying Nigerians are already aware that the president is on a short leave.
Mr Anyim, who also served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said there was nothing unusual about Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing Nigeria at the annual gathering.
Speaking on ARISE News, he questioned why Tinubu’s absence had generated so much attention, arguing that the Vice-President was capable of representing the country at the General Assembly.
“I really don’t understand why his absence should be an issue. I think Nigerians know very well that the President is on short leave, a short vacation,” Mr Anyim said.
He argued that UNGA was not limited to the main General Assembly session, but also included bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines.
According to him, if the president had no engagements requiring his personal attendance, there was little significance in being physically present simply to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
“The Vice President can represent the country, even the Foreign Minister,” he said.
Mr Anyim also dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s absence could cost Nigeria an important opportunity to engage US President Donald Trump.
He said meetings between world leaders were generally arranged in advance and that simply sitting beside another president would not automatically lead to a substantive diplomatic engagement.
Tinubu is currently away from Nigeria on what the Presidency has described as a short working vacation, while Shettima is leading the Nigerian delegation at the 81st UN General Assembly. (Vanguard News)
The debate comes as Nigeria uses the UNGA to push issues including reform of the UN Security Council and its campaign for permanent African representation on the council. (Vanguard News)
Tinubu’s absence marks his third consecutive year without personally attending the UN General Assembly, with Shettima having represented him in 2024 and 2025. The issue has drawn criticism from some opposition figures, while the federal government maintains that Nigeria remains fully represented at the gathering. (ng.headtopics.com)
