UNGA: Anyim Dismisses Concerns Over Tinubu’s Absence

By Reporter

Former Senate President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pius Anyim, has said President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the ongoing 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York should not be a matter of concern.

Anyim, who also served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said Tinubu’s decision to delegate Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the annual gathering was within the constitutional capacity of the Vice President.

He made the remarks on Monday while appearing on ARISE NEWS’ Prime Time programme.

Tinubu had initially been expected to return to Nigeria after a short working vacation but extended his stay abroad. The Presidency said the President would use the period for a private visit and other engagements before returning to the country.

Shettima is currently representing Nigeria at the UNGA in New York.

“I really don’t understand why his absence should be an issue. I think Nigerians know very well that the President is on short leave, a short vacation,” Anyim said.

“He simply assigned his Vice President to undertake the assignment. I don’t know why we are making so much out of this. There is nothing that compares to the President being at UNGA. The Vice President can represent the country, even the Foreign Minister.”

Anyim explained that the UNGA involves not only the formal General Assembly but also numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings held on the sidelines.

According to him, the principal address delivered at the General Assembly is essentially a statement on behalf of the country, which can be presented by the Vice President.

“The structure of UNGA involves the General Assembly and side meetings. Side meetings could be bilateral or multilateral. What you present in that General Assembly statement is simply reading a statement from your country. This is something that the Vice President can do,” he said.

The former Senate President also dismissed concerns that Tinubu’s absence could affect a possible meeting with United States President Donald Trump.

He said meetings between heads of government are normally arranged in advance and are not dependent on chance encounters at the UNGA.

“It’s not about meeting the President by chance. The fact that you sit together with the President doesn’t mean anything. The President of America normally would have a schedule set ahead of time,” Anyim said.

He added that Tinubu was not the only world leader who had opted not to attend the annual UN gathering in person.