Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said President Bola Tinubu is absent at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) because he is currently on annual leave.
In a statement issued by the minister on Monday, said Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
Idris said Tinubu had mandated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level session in New York, United States.
He said the vice-president’s engagements will focus on Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.
“Vice-President Shettima carries the full mandate of the president and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Idris said.
The minister said Nigeria would therefore be “fully and effectively represented” throughout the high-level session.
“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 statement reads.
The minister’s statement comes amid criticism from Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, over Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA.
Atiku had questioned Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the gathering for the third consecutive year, saying the president’s “persistent avoidance” of the United States raises questions.
The former vice-president also questioned why Tinubu did not attend after Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, reportedly said arrangements had been made for the president to sit close to US President Donald Trump at the General Assembly.
Atiku further linked Tinubu’s absence to his past legal history in the US and asked: “Is Tinubu afraid that he could become Donald Trump’s next Nicolás Maduro?”
He demanded that the presidency explain whether there was any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal impediment to Tinubu travelling to the US.
The presidency has said there is no indication that Tinubu is restricted from travelling to the US, while the federal government maintains that his absence from the UNGA does not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
Idris said political opposition and public debate are legitimate features of democracy, but speculation should not be presented as established fact.
“The government urges political actors to exercise responsibility when discussing matters affecting Nigeria’s international relationships and national reputation,” he said.
Idris also highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with the United States, covering trade and investment, security cooperation, energy, democratic institutions, regional stability and people-to-people ties.
He said the 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.
The minister 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,” he said.