Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has shed light on the seating arrangement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Ibrahim explained that despite earlier assurances, Vice President Kashim Shettima did not sit close to US President Donald Trump. Instead, Nigeria occupied the sixth position in the front row of the General Assembly chamber, which Ibrahim described as a significant diplomatic achievement.
Ibrahim appeared on Channels Television's Politics Today to defend President Bola Tinubu's decision to stay away from the UNGA in New York and send Shettima to lead Nigeria's delegation. Ibrahim had earlier secured a seat close to Trump for Tinubu, but the President did not attend, with Shettima delivering Nigeria's national statement. Ibrahim revealed that Trump did not remain in the General Assembly chamber after delivering his address, leaving no designated seat for Shettima.
According to Ibrahim, had Trump remained in the chamber, the US president would have been seated behind Nigeria, rather than ahead of the Nigerian delegation. Ibrahim emphasized that Nigeria's position in the front row, number six, was a notable achievement, especially considering there are 193 member states. He challenged those questioning the arrangement to consider the significance of Nigeria's prominent position.
Ibrahim also defended Tinubu's decision not to travel to New York, citing the fact that over 60 per cent of those scheduled to address the General Assembly were being represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers. He argued that there was little justification for Tinubu to leave pressing national matters to travel to New York for a 15-minute address.
The envoy cited the absence of several leaders, including the presidents of South Africa, China, and Russia, and insisted that Nigeria was adequately represented by Shettima. He maintained that Tinubu would address the United Nations General Assembly at an appropriate time and that Nigeria's diplomatic standing was not diminished by the President's absence.
Ibrahim's comments come amid renewed debate over Tinubu's four-week stay in Europe and his failure to attend the UNGA. Opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, had questioned the President's prolonged absence and raised concerns about Section 145 of the Constitution. Atiku specifically questioned whether Tinubu transmitted a written declaration to the leadership of the National Assembly transferring presidential functions to Shettima.
Ibrahim dismissed the concerns, insisting that Tinubu did not violate the Constitution. He argued that a working leave was different from an absolute leave and that even he was seeking leave after resuming his duties as chair of the UN budget. Ibrahim emphasized that human beings are not machines and that Tinubu's absence did not compromise Nigeria's representation at the UNGA.
Key points
- Nigeria occupied the sixth position in the front row of the General Assembly chamber.
- US President Donald Trump did not remain in the General Assembly chamber after delivering his address.
- Ibrahim defended Tinubu's decision not to attend the UNGA, citing representation by Shettima and pressing national matters.
