Opposition parties have criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to remain in Europe and stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria.
Tinubu has been outside Nigeria since August 30, when he departed for a three-week annual vacation in Europe. The Presidency later extended his stay, with the President remaining in France as the UN General Assembly opened in New York.
The absence has triggered criticism from opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Atiku questioned why Tinubu was absent from the UNGA for the third consecutive year, noting that Shettima also represented him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025.
He argued that although the Vice President could represent Nigeria, repeated delegation of the President’s role at the annual gathering deprived the country of the opportunity for direct presidential engagement with other world leaders.
The ADC, meanwhile, raised constitutional questions over the prolonged absence of both the President and Vice President from Nigeria, particularly concerning Section 145 of the Constitution and the formal transfer of presidential powers.
The party questioned whether Tinubu had transmitted a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives transferring presidential functions to Shettima.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also criticised Tinubu’s decision to remain away from the UNGA, arguing that the President should use the international gathering to seek support and partnerships for Nigeria’s challenges.
However, the Federal Government has defended the President’s decision, saying Nigeria remains fully represented at the UNGA through Shettima.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Tinubu had mandated the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation and deliver the country’s national statement.
According to the minister, Shettima is also participating in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
Idris said Tinubu’s absence from the gathering does not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, stressing that the President is currently on annual leave.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, similarly said the country would remain fully represented despite Tinubu’s absence. He noted that it was not unusual for countries to delegate representation at the UNGA to vice presidents or foreign ministers.
Shettima arrived in New York on September 20 to represent Tinubu at the 81st UNGA. The General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28, 2026.
The controversy therefore centres on two separate issues: opposition concerns about Tinubu’s prolonged absence and personal non-attendance at UNGA, and the government’s position that Nigeria’s interests remain adequately represented by the Vice President and other senior officials.
