The Federal Government has clarified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to Idris, Tinubu mandated Shettima to represent him at the General Assembly, where the Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
He said Nigeria would therefore be fully represented throughout the high-level session, adding that Shettima would act with the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The minister said the Vice President’s engagements in New York would advance Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.
Idris said Tinubu was currently on annual leave, adding that the President’s decision to mandate the Vice President to lead the delegation was neither unusual nor a diminution of Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.
The minister also acknowledged recent public commentary by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation concerning Tinubu’s absence from the General Assembly.
He said political opposition and public debate were legitimate features of democracy, but urged political actors to distinguish between verified information, political opinion and speculation when discussing matters concerning Nigeria’s international relations.
Idris reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with the United States, covering trade and investment, security cooperation, energy, democratic institutions, regional stability and people-to-people ties.
He said the relationship would continue through established diplomatic and governmental channels.
The minister urged Nigerians and the media to rely on verified information when discussing Nigeria’s international engagements.
He said Nigeria’s interests would continue to be advanced at the General Assembly and that efforts to strengthen the country’s relationships with international partners would continue.