The President of Nigeria is supposed to be “representing” the “most populous nation” on the African continent at the United Nations General Assembly (81st session), which is currently ongoing in the city of New York in the United States (US).
This has left Peter Obi, 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) asking on X, “where is Nigeria’s President?”
Obi said, the President has not attended UNGA “for three consecutive” sessions.
The former Anambra State Governor said: “…many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?”
Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice President, is representing the country on behalf of the President, however, Obi said, the President should be showing “leadership” for Africa on the international stage.
He said, the President is needed now that the country is battling with “significant challenges”.
Obi said: “Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
He called on Nigerians to pray for the President’s “return and leadership” in handling numerous challenges facing the country.
Obi said: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President? Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
UNGA (81st Session)
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), currently ongoing in New York State, United States (US), is the 81st Session of the event.
It commenced on September 8 and will conclude on September 28, 2026, with the high-level General Debate taking place from September 22 to September 28, 2026.
Virtually 130 Heads of State and Governments will be present at the High-level week in person to deliver their message to the world.
This year’s theme is ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all’.
According to un.org:
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
