Shettima Heads Back To Nigeria As VP Departs New York For Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York for Abuja after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Shettima left New York on Sunday after leading Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level UNGA sessions, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Tinubu. His departure was disclosed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.

During his address, Shettima renewed Nigeria’s call for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, particularly the restructuring of the Security Council to provide permanent representation for Africa. He argued that the current global power structure should reflect the realities of the 21st century rather than remain tied to the distribution of influence established in 1945.

The Vice President’s participation at the General Assembly came as President Tinubu remained outside the country on an extended working vacation. The Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu’s return to Nigeria would take place after the extension of his vacation by a few days.

Meanwhile, Paul Ibe, media adviser to African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the President’s continued stay abroad and raised concerns about whether a formal declaration transferring presidential authority to the Vice President had been transmitted to the National Assembly.

Ibe questioned why Tinubu had not transmitted a written declaration to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, which, according to his interpretation of the Constitution, would enable Shettima to perform presidential functions in an acting capacity.

The issue has generated political debate, with opposition figures questioning the constitutional implications of the President’s prolonged absence, while government officials have maintained that Tinubu continued to direct the affairs of the country while abroad.

With Shettima now returning to Abuja after his UNGA engagements, attention is expected to remain on the President’s return and the ongoing political debate surrounding the exercise of presidential authority during his absence.