A security expert and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to delegate Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Mumuni spoke amid public reactions to the Presidency’s announcement that Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, for the third consecutive year.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni said the debate over the President’s absence should be viewed within the broader context of how the United Nations General Assembly operates and what it can realistically achieve for member states.
He described UNGA as an annual international platform where the 193 UN member states present their positions, discuss global issues and engage in diplomatic activities.
According to him, the gathering provides countries with opportunities to discuss international peace and security, climate change, trade, economic cooperation, human rights, humanitarian assistance and development.
Mumuni said the General Assembly provides a platform for countries to communicate their positions, while bilateral meetings and other diplomatic engagements take place on the margins of the annual gathering.
He argued that international forums should not be viewed as substitutes for domestic governance, stressing that the ultimate responsibility of any government is to address the needs of its citizens.
“UNGA is essentially an annual international debate platform where nations convene to discuss world issues, share positions and make diplomatic statements,” he said.
Mumuni maintained that the physical presence of a president at the gathering should not become the sole measure of a country’s participation or diplomatic engagement.
The APC chieftain also argued that there is no international law requiring a sitting president to personally attend the General Assembly.
“The UN Charter provides that the General Assembly consists of all UN member states and that each member may have up to five representatives. The provision establishes representation by member states but does not require their presidents or prime ministers to personally attend.
“Presidential attendance is a matter of choice and priority, not obligation,” Mumuni said.
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He listed possible reasons why presidents may delegate international engagements, including pressing domestic responsibilities, competing international commitments and strategic considerations.
Mumuni said Vice President Shettima, as a senior member of the Federal Government, was capable of articulating Nigeria’s positions and representing the country at the gathering.
The Presidency confirmed on Monday that Shettima had travelled to New York to attend the 81st UNGA and would present Nigeria’s national statement. It said Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and was expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The APC chieftain also questioned whether the physical attendance of previous Nigerian presidents at international gatherings had translated into solutions to the country’s domestic challenges.
“Did these attendances solve Nigeria’s insecurity crisis? Did they end poverty? Did they create jobs for millions of unemployed youth?” he asked.
Mumuni said international platforms could provide diplomatic opportunities but could not independently resolve Nigeria’s domestic problems.
He urged the government to maintain its focus on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, including insecurity, the cost of living, unemployment, healthcare and infrastructure.
“International forums do not solve domestic problems,” he said.
Mumuni argued that the effectiveness of governance should ultimately be reflected in improvements in the lives of citizens.
He also urged Nigerians to look beyond presidential attendance and consider the actual objectives and outcomes of Nigeria’s participation in international engagements.
According to him, attention should be given to the diplomatic objectives pursued by Nigeria, bilateral engagements, partnerships developed and commitments secured through such international platforms.
Mumuni consequently called for a broader assessment of Nigeria’s participation in UNGA, saying the immediate priority should remain addressing challenges facing Nigerians while the country continues to pursue its interests through international diplomacy.