Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly, saying Nigeria retained its prominent seating position at the gathering despite the President’s absence.

Ibrahim had earlier said he secured a seat close to United States President Donald Trump for Tinubu at the General Assembly. However, Tinubu did not attend the gathering in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Ibrahim said he would not have recommended that Tinubu travel to New York after it became clear that more than 60 per cent of those scheduled to speak were being represented by vice presidents or foreign ministers.

He said there was no need for the President to leave other pressing national issues to come to New York to speak for about 15 minutes when many of the speakers were represented by senior officials.

Ibrahim also pointed out that the presidents of South Africa, China, Russia and other countries were not present at the gathering, while insisting that Shettima adequately represented Nigeria.

‘I Delivered On My Promise’

The Nigerian envoy maintained that he delivered on his promise to secure Nigeria a prominent position at the General Assembly.

He said Trump did not sit in the General Assembly chamber after delivering his speech, arguing that the American President would have been seated far behind Nigeria if he had remained in the chamber.

“You have to thank me and commend my effort. I said Nigeria will be in the front seat, was Nigeria not in the front seat? You said Nigeria will sit with Donald Trump, did Donald Trump have any seat in the general assembly? He didn’t sit for a second, he just came in to the podium, delivered a guest speech and left from there. Did he go to sit on a seat?

“In fact, he would have been sitting far behind Nigeria. So, what are you talking about? I delivered on the fact that Nigeria will sit in the front row, number six, did you commend me for that? Do you think it is easy for a country to sit at number six in the front row? Don’t you know it is a country sitting at number 193 and your country is sitting at number six? When did I get here?” Ibrahim queried.

Ibrahim had previously said Nigeria would retain its designated front-row position at the 81st UNGA with Shettima representing Tinubu. He also said more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak were being represented by either vice presidents or foreign ministers.

He said Tinubu would be invited to address the United Nations General Assembly at the appropriate time.

Tinubu’s Four-Week Vacation

The discussion also touched on the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s four-week stay in Europe, with African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures questioning the President’s prolonged absence from Nigeria.

Atiku had cited Section 145 of the Constitution and questioned whether Tinubu had transmitted a written declaration to the leadership of the National Assembly transferring presidential functions to Vice President Kashim Shettima during his absence.

Ibrahim, however, defended Tinubu’s decision, insisting that the President did not breach any constitutional provision.

“The president hasn’t committed any offence. Did he breach any provision of the Constitution? A working leave is completely different from absolute leave, if we understand that distinction, what are you worrying about? Even myself, who has just resumed work as the chair of budget in the UN, I am looking for leave. Human beings are not machines.”

The Presidency initially announced that Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week annual vacation. He travelled first to London before proceeding to Paris, where he held official engagements. The Presidency later announced that he had extended his stay.

While away, Tinubu missed the 81st UN General Assembly, where Shettima represented him and led Nigeria’s delegation. The Vice President delivered Nigeria’s national statement and participated in several high-level engagements during the UNGA week.

The Presidency defended the President’s absence, saying it would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in international affairs.

After four weeks in Europe, Tinubu returned to Nigeria from Paris, France, on Tuesday.

The President arrived in Lagos aboard Nigerian Air Force One, with the aircraft taxiing into the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6:22pm.

Asked how his vacation was, Tinubu said, “I enjoyed myself. Fantastic.”

The President was also asked about concerns raised by some Nigerians, including some of his well-wishers, towards the end of his stay in Europe over his health.

“Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong,” he said.

Tinubu added, “Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain, I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go.”

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