‘Where is the President?’ — Obi queries Tinubu’s absence from UNGA

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from Nigeria, asking where the President is as the 81st United Nations General Assembly holds in New York.

Obi raised the question in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr, after watching an address delivered by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama at the UN General Assembly.

Obi contrasted Mahama’s participation in the global gathering with Tinubu’s absence, arguing that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, should have its President represented at such international engagements.

“Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people—more than Ghana—whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?” Obi asked.

He also questioned Tinubu’s absence amid what he described as significant challenges facing Nigeria at home and abroad.

“Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges both domestically and internationally?” Obi asked.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly and is expected to present the country’s national statement. The Presidency had earlier said Tinubu delegated Shettima to represent him at some official engagements during his working vacation.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave before travelling to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Presidency later announced that Tinubu had extended his stay abroad by a few days, saying he had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while away.

Reports on Sunday said the President’s return schedule had again changed, with Presidency sources indicating that he is now expected to return to Lagos on Tuesday, September 29.

Obi acknowledged Shettima’s presence at the UN but maintained that the Vice-President’s representation did not answer his question about Tinubu’s absence.

“Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: where is the President?” he said.

He called on Nigerians to continue praying for Tinubu’s return and leadership, while expressing hope for what he described as a “New Nigeria.”

The statement was signed by Zekeri on behalf of Obi’s media office on September 27, 2026.