President Bola Tinubu's absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has sparked outrage among opposition leaders in Nigeria.

Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent Tinubu at the 81st edition of the assembly in New York. Tinubu is currently in France on a working vacation, where the country's leader, Emmanuel Macron, is hosting him.

Reacting, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wondered if Tinubu's absence at the UNGA since 2024 is due to medical or personal impediment.

He said in a statement, "Is he afraid of renewed scrutiny? Is he uncomfortable appearing on American soil amid continuing public interest in the narcotics drug-related forfeiture proceedings? Has one man’s personal history become a burden on Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement?”

No hand over note from Tinubu - Sowore

Also reacting, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore attributed Tinubu's absence from the UNGA to medical reasons. He also lamented that the President didn't mention handing over power to his Vice President before leaving the country.

He said on X, "Soon as I raised the real reason Tinubu couldn’t go to #UNGA, even when his so-called host, @EmmanuelMacron had left for #UNGA, Tinubu @officialABAT announced he would extend his vacation by a few more days I am certain this was to get more medical treatment and then return to Nigeria packaged for a re-selection they’ve been planning all along for 2027.

"In all these, not a single word about handing over to anyone as his VP is also in New York for the annual UN jamboree. But things are not going to be the same going forward; the lies, deception and subterfuge have collapsed."

Meanwhile, MyNigeria can report that 5 other prominent world leaders will be absent from the UNGA. They will, however, be represented at the assembly.

Here are the leaders absent:

1. Xi Jinping (China) represented by Vice President Han Zheng.

2. Vladimir Putin (Russia) represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

3. Giorgia Meloni (Italy) represented by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

4. Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico) represented by Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez.

5. Friedrich Merz (Germany) will be represented by a delegation.

ASA