Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, asking why the country’s President was missing as world leaders gathered in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Obi raised the question on Sunday after watching an address by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama at the global gathering.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the former Anambra State governor contrasted Ghana’s presence at the UN with Nigeria’s absence at presidential level.
“Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people—more than Ghana—whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?” Obi asked.
The NDC candidate said the absence raised questions about Nigeria’s visibility and leadership at major international engagements, particularly at a time he said the country was facing serious domestic and international challenges.
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing and guiding the continent at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings,” he said.
Obi acknowledged that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was representing Nigeria at the UN General Assembly but said the Vice-President’s presence did not answer the question of Tinubu’s continued absence.
“Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: where is the President?” he asked.
Tinubu has been outside Nigeria since August 30, when the Presidency announced that he was beginning a three-week working vacation in Europe. He travelled first to London before moving to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency later announced that Tinubu had extended his stay by a few days, initially saying he would return at the weekend. His return has since been pushed to Tuesday, September 29, according to current reports.
The development has kept the President’s prolonged absence in the public spotlight, particularly with Vice-President Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu has remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing the affairs of government while abroad.
Obi nevertheless said the situation warranted public attention, particularly because of Nigeria’s size and role in African affairs.
He ended his intervention by calling on Nigerians to continue praying for Tinubu’s return and for his leadership in tackling the country’s challenges.
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation,” Obi said.
He added that he remained hopeful that “a New Nigeria is possible.”