Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned the absence of President Bola Tinubu from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, asking, “Where is Nigeria’s President?”
Obi raised the question in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, September 27, after watching an address by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama at the ongoing UNGA.
The 81st UN General Assembly high-level general debate ran from September 22 to 26, with an additional sitting scheduled for September 28.
Obi noted that while Mahama was present at the global gathering, President Tinubu was absent, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing Nigeria at the event.
“Here is the remarkable address delivered by Ghana’s dynamic President, John Dramani Mahama, at the 81st UNGA. As the international community commends this distinguished leader, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people—more than Ghana—whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?” Obi said.
He questioned why Tinubu had not attended the UN gathering, particularly amid what he described as significant challenges confronting Nigeria at home and internationally.
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing and guiding the continent at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings,” Obi said.
He added: “Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges both domestically and internationally?”
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation in Europe as part of his annual leave, according to the State House. The Presidency subsequently announced on September 21 that the vacation had been extended by a few days, saying the President would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The State House said Tinubu had continued to direct the affairs of government while abroad and had remained in contact with officials at home. It also said the President had delegated Shettima to represent him at some official functions, including the 81st UN General Assembly.
Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Tinubu at the UNGA, where he was scheduled to present Nigeria’s national statement.
Obi, however, said the Vice President’s presence did not resolve the question of Tinubu’s absence.
“Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: where is the President?” he asked.
The former Anambra State governor also contrasted Nigeria’s absence of Tinubu at the gathering with Mahama’s participation, saying the Ghanaian president’s address demonstrated the importance of African leaders engaging directly with the international community.
Obi concluded his statement by calling for prayers for Tinubu’s return and leadership, while reiterating his political message of a “New Nigeria.”
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation, but let us hope that a New Nigeria is possible and will be O-K,” he said.
