BY the protocols of the United Nations (UN), the global body’s general assembly, UNGA, is its highest organ. The United Nations General Assembly meets yearly and its 81st Session is ongoing at the UN Headquarters in New York. Today, Nigeria will mount the podium to deliver its national statement. Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is representing President Bola Tinubu, has the honour of doing the job.
Tinubu’s decision not to attend has been weaponised by the opposition. To them, it is wrong of the President not to attend. Is it mandatory for a leader to attend UNGA? No, it is not. It is a matter of choice. A leader may decide to attend or not. The President has not broken any rule by not attending the 81st UNGA. What matters is for Nigeria to be there and it is well represented at the ongoing Session.
Tinubu’s absence will not make Nigeria’s voice unheard at the Session, with Shettima standing in for him. It is not everything that should be turned into politics just because the elections are at hand. Attendance at UNGA is voluntary and presidents can send their deputies, or any other high calibre official to represent them. Come to think of it, should the opposition and their supporters determine the President’s itineray?