Envoy says Tinubu’s UN absence did not diminish Nigeria’s standing
Nigeria’s UN envoy Jimoh Ibrahim says President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the General Assembly did not weaken the country’s position, noting that many leaders were represented by deputies. Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered Nigeria’s statement, while Ibrahim also defended the country’s seating arrangement and Tinubu’s extended working leave.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st UN General Assembly, saying it did not reduce Nigeria’s prominence at the gathering. Ibrahim made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday. He said more than 60 per cent of officials scheduled to speak at the assembly were represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.
The envoy argued that it would have been unnecessary for Tinubu to travel to New York for a speech lasting about 15 minutes while the President had other matters to attend to. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu and delivered Nigeria’s national statement. Ibrahim also cited the absence of the presidents of South Africa, China and Russia, saying Nigeria’s representation was not unusual.
He said Tinubu would be invited to address the General Assembly at an appropriate time. The envoy further defended his earlier claim that he had secured a seat close to United States President Donald Trump. Ibrahim said Nigeria occupied the sixth position in the chamber’s front row, while Trump left after delivering his speech and did not sit in the chamber.
He also rejected criticism of Tinubu’s four-week stay in Europe. The President left Nigeria on August 30 for an announced three-week annual vacation, travelled from London to Paris for official engagements and later extended his stay. Ibrahim said the President had not violated the Constitution, arguing that a working leave differed from an absolute leave.
Tinubu returned to Nigeria from Paris on Tuesday, arriving in Lagos aboard Nigerian Air Force One.
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