Nasarawa gov defends Tinubu's UNGA absence, VP Shettima leads delegation

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule defended President Bola Tinubu's absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying Nigeria is not the only country represented by a vice president or foreign minister. Speaking in a virtual interview with TVC on September 23, 2026, Sule said Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria's delegation and will deliver the national statement on Thursday, September 24, marking Shettima's third consecutive UNGA appearance on Tinubu's behalf.

Sule noted that as of yesterday, Shettima had received over 30 requests for bilateral meetings from heads of government, prime ministers, foreign ministers and other officials, showing Nigeria continues to attract international attention despite the President's absence. He added that Tinubu has a "very good reason" for not attending, and those directly involved are best to explain it.

Regarding Nigeria's push for UN Security Council reform, including a permanent seat for Africa, Sule said the campaign can proceed through the African Union, ECOWAS, bilateral engagements and other international meetings, not solely through the UNGA address.

Sule, who is also attending UNGA as part of Nigeria's delegation, said he is using the opportunity to seek investment and partnerships for Nasarawa State, focusing on the state's critical minerals sector. He pointed out that the lithium processing plant recently commissioned by President Tinubu has been discussed in talks about Africa's mineral resources, and he expects the meetings to attract more investors and strengthen partnerships in Nasarawa's solid minerals industry.

Does Shettima's busy meeting schedule and Sule's push for Nasarawa investments signal an effective diplomatic workaround, or should Nigerians expect clearer explanation for the president's absence?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/23/nigeria-is-not-the-only-one-gov-sule-defends-tinubus-unga-absence/