A former Nigerian diplomat, Joe Keshi, has said President Bola Tinubu’s physical presence at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is not important as long as Nigeria is adequately represented.
Keshi made the remark on Tuesday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show.
The former diplomat said the Vice President leading Nigeria’s delegation would constitute sufficient representation for the country.
According to him, the ongoing debate over Tinubu’s absence from the 80th session of the UNGA had distracted Nigerians from more important issues before the international community.
“It amazes me we’re engaged in some innocuous debate whether the president attends or whether he does not attend or whether he has lost the opportunity to sit beside Donald Trump,” Keshi said.
“In the process, we’ve left the most important issues.”
Keshi said Nigeria’s participation at the global gathering should be assessed based on the quality of its representation and the issues it raises, rather than whether the President personally attends.
“There are times in this country that the president of Nigeria or the leaders of Nigeria did not attend UNGA, and the heavens didn’t fall.
“Yes, it is true that Buhari probably attended all. Of course, what came out of Buhari’s attendance at the end of the day?” he asked.
Keshi maintained that Nigeria’s presence at the UNGA remained the priority, regardless of who led the delegation.
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“What we need to understand, and the most important thing is that as long as a Nigerian delegation or Nigeria is represented, Nigeria as a country is attending the United Nations General Assembly.
“All these debates that if the president is not there, it’s a big shame or whatever it is. For goodness’ sake, it’s irrelevant.
“And if the vice president is there leading the Nigerian delegation, for us, that’s the most important thing we should focus on,” he said.
