The Nigerian government has defended President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, drawing comparisons to the leaders of South Africa and Egypt.
In a statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the administration dismissed public criticism surrounding the President’s whereabouts, asserting that Tinubu is hale and hearty on a well-deserved working vacation.
He emphasized that physical presence in Abuja is unnecessary in the digital age for governance, pointing to his recent engagements abroad, including meeting investors in France and facilitating a $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside.
Addressing the controversy directly, the Presidency noted that other prominent African leaders—namely South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi—also skipped the New York summit without triggering domestic uproar in their respective countries.
While Ramaphosa booked himself off public engagements, Nigeria similarly delegated its UNGA representation to the Vice President after announcing the President’s annual leave.
The statement specifically criticized opposition figure Peter Obi and social media users on X for questioning the President’s location, labeling the inquiries over Tinubu’s whereabouts as puerile.
Looking ahead, the Presidency announced that President Tinubu who was represented by his Vice, Kasheem Shettima, will return to Nigeria this week.
He is scheduled to participate in the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations and honor late democracy martyr MKO Abiola by attending a special movie premiere dedicated to his memory in Lagos.
