A Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Femi Otubanjo, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly, saying the President is on annual leave and attendance is not compulsory.
Otubanjo spoke on Tuesday on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, while discussing Tinubu’s absence from the high-level UN gathering in New York.
He said the controversy surrounding the President’s absence should be considered within the context of Nigeria’s national interest, arguing that the country had not been left without representation.
“Majority of people talk without putting it in the proper context. Number one context is that President Bola Tinubu is on his annual leave and when he is on leave, he leaves the work of the office to other people to do it and UNGA is not so important,” he said.
Otubanjo emphasized that the important issue was Nigeria’s representation at the global gathering, noting that Vice President Kashim Shettima was leading the Nigerian delegation.
“What is important, very important, is that we are represented. And we are represented at the highest level. That is the Vice President,” he said.
Shettima arrived in New York on Sunday to represent Tinubu at the 81st UNGA. The high-level general debate opened on Tuesday and is scheduled to run until September 28.
The professor also rejected the notion that presidential attendance at the UNGA was a compulsory requirement, saying diplomatic responsibilities could be delegated when necessary.
“It is not compulsory for a president to be at the United Nations General Assembly. What is important is representation, and this time we are represented by the number two man in the country,” Otubanjo said.
He further questioned the assumption that a President’s physical presence at the UNGA necessarily translates into substantive diplomatic engagement, noting that some encounters between world leaders at international gatherings could be brief and largely ceremonial.
“If you have a meeting with the president of France, and for five to ten minutes, it is that we enjoy, we are happy with our relationship, I hope we continue, we will continue. These are the kinds of complementary things that I’ve said at those meetings. They are not working meetings,” he said.
He said Nigeria can still hold key diplomatic talks through bilateral meetings and other diplomatic channels without the President having to be physically present at UNGA.
He cited the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of remote communication by governments and institutions.
“COVID taught all of us how to work remotely. The President is talking to his ambassadors and talking to businessmen outside Nigeria,” he said.