The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, asking why the leader of Africa’s most populous country was missing from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Obi raised the question on Sunday after watching an address by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama at the global gathering.

In a statement by Idris Zekeri Jnr, spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Office, the former Anambra State governor contrasted Mahama’s presence at the UN with Tinubu’s absence, saying the development had raised questions about Nigeria’s visibility on the international stage.

“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.

Obi said Nigeria’s President ought to be representing the country at major international engagements, particularly at a time when the nation is grappling with significant 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.

The NDC candidate acknowledged that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA on behalf of the Federal Government but said the Vice-President’s attendance did not settle the question over Tinubu’s absence.

“Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: where is the President?” Obi said.
Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA after Tinubu directed him to represent the President at the gathering.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation in Europe. He travelled first to London and later moved to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Presidency subsequently announced that Tinubu had extended his stay abroad by a few days and was expected to return at the weekend. However, his itinerary was again changed, with Presidency sources now indicating that he is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29.

The latest adjustment has added to public discussion about the length of the President’s stay abroad and his absence from the UN gathering.
Obi, however, ended his intervention by calling for prayers for Tinubu’s return and leadership.
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation,” he said, while expressing hope that “a New Nigeria is possible.”