UNGA: Presidency tackles Atiku over Tinubu’s absence, says Shettima represents Nigeria

The Presidency has tackled former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, describing the criticism as “baseless” and “irresponsible.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Tinubu at the global conference and will present Nigeria’s national statement, the Presidency said.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who also disclosed that Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend.

“The Presidency described the baseless insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict about President Tinubu’s non-attendance at UNGA as irresponsible,” Onanuga said.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation and later moved to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

According to the Presidency, the President had remained in touch with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.

It cited Tinubu’s directive for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

While away, the President also delegated Shettima to represent him at some official engagements.