Former Nigerian diplomat, Joe Keshi has said President Bola Tinubu’s personal attendance at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, is irrelevant as long as Nigeria is adequately represented.
Keshi made the remark on Tuesday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he criticised journalists and pseudo- analysts for unnecessary debate on Tinubu’s attendance at the global gathering.
The former diplomat said the Vice President leading Nigeria’s delegation would constitute sufficient representation for the country.
He argued that the focus on whether Tinubu would attend had distracted Nigerians from more important issues before the United Nations.
“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.
“In the process, we’ve left the most important issues”, Keshi argued.
Keshi said Nigeria’s participation at the UNGA should be assessed by the quality of its representation and the issues it advances, rather than whether the President personally attends.
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He maintained that Nigeria’s presence at the global gathering remained the priority, regardless of who led the delegation.
“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?” Keshi asked.
He said Nigeria remained represented at the United Nations as long as a Nigerian delegation attended the 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.
Daily Post Nigeria
