Former Senate President Pius Anyim has stated that President Bola Tinubu's absence from the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York shouldn't be a source of concern. Anyim, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, said Tinubu's decision to delegate the assignment to Vice President Kashim Shettima was a normal practice. He made these comments while featuring on ARISE NEWS' Prime Time.
Tinubu was initially scheduled to return to Nigeria after a short working vacation but extended his stay abroad for a private visit and other engagements. Shettima is currently representing Nigeria at the 80th session of the UNGA in the United States. According to Anyim, there was nothing unusual about the President's absence, as the Vice President had the constitutional capacity to represent the country at the gathering.
Anyim explained that the UNGA comprised the General Assembly and several bilateral and multilateral engagements held on the sidelines. He said the President's absence would only become significant if there were scheduled engagements that required his personal attendance. The former Senate president noted that the Vice President could represent the country, even the Foreign Minister.
Anyim dismissed concerns that Tinubu's absence could prevent him from meeting United States President Joe Biden, saying such high-level engagements were normally scheduled in advance. He added that it was not about meeting the President by chance, as the President of America would have a schedule set ahead of time.
The former Senate president also noted that Tinubu was not the only world leader who had chosen not to attend the annual gathering in person. He said many heads of state did not attend the UNGA, and it did not matter.
Anyim's comments come as some Nigerians expressed concerns about Tinubu's absence from the UNGA. However, the former Senate president believes that the Vice President's representation of the country is sufficient. He emphasized that the structure of UNGA allowed for the Vice President to make presentations on behalf of the country.
The UNGA is an annual event that brings together world leaders to discuss global issues. This year's session is currently underway in New York, with various dignitaries and representatives from countries around the world in attendance.
Key points
- Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 80th session of the UNGA in the United States.
- The President's absence would only become significant if there were scheduled engagements that required his personal attendance.
- Many heads of state do not attend the UNGA in person, and it does not affect their international engagements.
