FG to Atiku, others: Stop false, baseless motives over Tinubu’s absence at 81st UNGA

The federal government Monday said Nigeria will be fully represented at the   81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, contrary to comments by opposition figures and public commentators.

“Nigeria will be fully and effectively represented throughout the high-level session,” it said.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the clarifications in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Blueprint in Abuja.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima  to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the General Assembly.

Idris further said that President Tinubu is currently on annual leave, and his decision to ask the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation is neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing.

“The Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners,” he said.

Idris added that Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that his engagements in New York will advance Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.

The minister condemned political commentary by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation questioning Tinubu’s non-attendance and seeking to impute false and baseless motives to it.

While acknowledging that political opposition and robust public debate are legitimate features of democracy, Idris said speculation should not be presented to Nigerians or the international community as established fact.

 He urged political actors to exercise responsibility when discussing matters affecting Nigeria’s international relationships and national reputation.

 “Nigeria values its longstanding relationship with the United States, encompassing trade and investment, security cooperation, energy, democratic institutions, regional stability and extensive people-to-people ties.

 “That relationship is conducted through established diplomatic and governmental channels and should not be confused with partisan commentary or the activities of private lobbying organisations acting on behalf of political clients,” he said.

 The minister further urged Nigerians and the media to distinguish between verified information, legitimate political opinion and unsubstantiated speculation.

 “Nigeria will be fully represented in New York. Nigeria’s interests will be vigorously advanced. And the work of strengthening the country’s relationships with its international partners will continue,” he said.

…There’s no cause for concern – Jimoh Ibrahim

Also in a further response to Atiku’s concern, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, said more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the global gathering are being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers.

In a statement by the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York, Ibrahim, who chairs the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, said: “The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session.

“The absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. Our delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings,” he said.

…President extends working vacation

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency said  Monday.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, where he began the vacation. After spending one week in London, he travelled to Paris, France.

During his stay in Paris, the President met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests span media and entertainment.

Onanuga said President Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of the country throughout his absence.

Among the decisions taken by the President during the vacation was the constitution of an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The Presidency said Vice President Kashim Shettima had been delegated to represent President Tinubu at some official engagements, including the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Vice President Shettima is also expected to present Nigeria’s national statement at the global gathering.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the President at designated official functions.

On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, has been leading prominent party figures in consultations with traditional rulers across the country.

The Presidency also dismissed criticism by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over President Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.

It described the insinuations surrounding the President’s non-attendance as baseless and irresponsible, stressing that Nigeria was duly represented by Vice President Shettima.

 …What Atiku said

Former Vice President Abubakar had challenged President Tinubu over his third consecutive absence from the UNGA.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former VP, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), recalled Tinubu was absent from the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions.

“The United Nations General Assembly is one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings. It brings together the representatives of the UN’s 193 member states and provides a unique platform for presidents and prime ministers to defend their countries’ interests, negotiate partnerships and shape global decisions on trade, security and development,” Atiku said.

He said while Shettima could represent Nigeria, repeated delegation could not substitute for the President’s personal authority and visibility at a major international diplomatic gathering.

Atiku also argued that UNGA provided opportunities for leaders to hold bilateral meetings, pursue investment and trade partnerships, mobilise development financing and engage on issues affecting their countries.

 He said repeated presidential absence could therefore affect Nigeria’s ability to maximise such opportunities, with possible economic implications for the country.

“The cost is eventually transferred to ordinary citizens: fewer investments mean fewer businesses and fewer jobs,” Atiku said.