Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has defended President Bola Tinubu's absence at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Sule stated that Nigeria's diplomatic presence at the global meeting remained strong despite the President's absence. He made the statement during a virtual interview with TVC. Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Tinubu at the General Assembly, leading Nigeria's delegation.
Shettima has represented Tinubu at the UN General Assembly for the third consecutive time, having attended on the President's behalf in 2024 and 2025. He is expected to deliver Nigeria's national statement on Thursday. According to Sule, many countries have also sent vice presidents, foreign ministers, and other senior officials to represent them. This, he said, shows that Nigeria is not the only country with a leader absent from the assembly.
Sule emphasized that the presence of a country's representative is more important than the presence of its head of government. He noted that Shettima had received over 30 requests for bilateral meetings with foreign leaders and senior government officials. These requests, Sule said, demonstrate that Nigeria continues to attract international attention at the General Assembly despite Tinubu's absence.
The governor revealed that he is also attending the UNGA as part of Nigeria's delegation, seeking investment and partnerships for Nasarawa State. He is focusing on the state's critical minerals sector, particularly the lithium processing plant recently commissioned by President Tinubu. Sule expects these meetings to help attract more investors and strengthen partnerships in Nasarawa's solid minerals industry.
Sule stated that Tinubu would have had a "very good reason" for not attending the event, adding that those directly involved in the decision were in the best position to explain it. He also noted that Nigeria's campaign for reforms to the UN Security Council, including a permanent seat for Africa, could continue without the President's physical presence in New York.
According to Sule, Nigeria can use platforms such as the African Union, ECOWAS, bilateral engagements, and other international meetings to advance the issue. He mentioned that side events and meetings would take place not only in New York but also in other countries. Shettima attended the opening of the high-level General Debate at the UN Headquarters on Tuesday alongside other world leaders.
Sule's comments come as Vice President Shettima prepares to deliver Nigeria's national statement on Thursday. Issues, including international cooperation, development, peace, and security, are expected to feature in the statement. The governor's defense of Tinubu's absence aims to reassure Nigerians and the international community that the country's interests are being represented at the UNGA.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu's absence at the 81st UN General Assembly has been defended by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Tinubu at the General Assembly, leading Nigeria's delegation.
- Sule emphasized that Nigeria's diplomatic presence at the global meeting remained strong despite the President's absence.
