81st UNGA: Nigeria fully represented as Shettima leads delegation — FG

The federal government has said Nigeria is fully represented at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading the country’s delegation on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement on Monday that Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.

Idris said the Vice President was carrying the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria throughout the high-level session.

According to him, Shettima’s engagements would advance Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.

“President Tinubu is currently on annual leave, and his decision to ask the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation is neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing,” Idris said.

The minister’s statement followed recent public commentary over Tinubu’s non-attendance at the General Assembly, including criticism by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation retained by him.

Idris said while political opposition and robust public debate were legitimate features of democracy, speculation should not be presented as established fact.

“However, speculation should not be presented to Nigerians or the international community as established fact,” he said.