By Fortune Mbonu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to skip the United Nations General Assembly for the third consecutive year, with Vice President Kashim Shettima once again representing Nigeria in New York.
Atiku argued that while Shettima could adequately represent the country, repeated presidential absence from one of the world’s major diplomatic gatherings raised questions about Nigeria’s international engagement and the opportunities for bilateral meetings, investment and diplomatic partnerships.
The former vice president also raised questions about whether Tinubu’s past legal proceedings in the United States had any connection to his absence. However, Atiku acknowledged that there was no announced legal restriction preventing the President from travelling to the US.
The Presidency has rejected suggestions of any travel impediment, while Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, maintained that the country would remain adequately represented through Shettima and other senior officials.
With the controversy now drawing attention at home, the debate has shifted from who represents Nigeria at the UN to why Tinubu has chosen not to personally attend the gathering for a third straight year.
