The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Monday, described Tinubu’s absence as his third consecutive failure to attend the global gathering since assuming office in 2023.
The NDC said Nigerians had previously been told that Tinubu would attend the UNGA before the Presidency announced on September 20 that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been “mandated” to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
The party also questioned Tinubu’s more than three-week absence from Nigeria, alleging that the situation had created a governance vacuum.
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It further accused the President of failing to comply with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which it said requires a written declaration to the National Assembly when the President is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge his functions.
The NDC also criticised the President’s absence from what it described as an important opportunity for direct diplomatic and economic engagements with other world leaders.
“A nation of over 200 million people can not be run by delegation and press release. Nigeria deserves a President who is present,” the party said.
NDC demanded the immediate disclosure of Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status, compliance with Section 145 of the Constitution and an end to what it described as “informal, unconstitutional rule from abroad”.
The NDC also questioned the Presidency’s explanation that Tinubu could not travel to New York “to speak for just 15 minutes”, arguing that UNGA provides opportunities for high-level diplomatic engagements beyond the official speeches.
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has dismissed reports suggesting that he is planning to defect from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesperson, Prince Daniel, on X, the reports circulating on social media were described as false and baseless. The statement insisted that the former governor of Sokoto State had no plans to join the ruling party.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Prince Daniel, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the senator, on behalf of the AWT Media Office.
The statement said Tambuwal’s longstanding relationships with politicians across party lines should not be interpreted as evidence of a planned political realignment.
According to the media office, photographs and video clips circulating online did not establish that the senator was negotiating to defect to the APC.
It added that exchanging greetings or interacting with members of other political parties should not be mistaken for a change in political allegiance.
“Senator Tambuwal remains firmly committed to the ADC,” the statement said, adding that his focus was on strengthening the party, building broad cooperation and mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The media office urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s pressing economic, security and governance challenges rather than engage in unsubstantiated political speculation.
It maintained that Tambuwal remained committed to accountable leadership, democratic values and the welfare of Nigerians.
The statement also called on media organisations and social media commentators to verify reports concerning the senator with his media office before publication.
“Speculation must never be presented as fact,” it added.
The Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarewaju, on Monday accused President Bola Tinubu of “doing politics and wickedness” since assuming office in 2023.
Olarewaju said that instead of ensuring good governance, Tinubu had been busy wooing state governors to support his re-election bid in 2027.
He made the remark in reaction to an explanation by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on why Tinubu would not visit all states to campaign.
Speaking during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Tinubu said he could not visit all states for campaign activities because he would be focusing on governance.
Commenting on Tinubu’s position, Alake said the president had chosen 12 states to visit because they were “election deciders.”
Alake said, “The 12 states that President Tinubu chose to campaign in are actually election deciders; he should be commended for that. He is not going to abandon governance for campaigning.”
Faulting Alake’s remarks, Olarewaju insisted that Tinubu had no achievements to campaign on.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Bola Tinubu has been doing politics and wickedness since Day One instead of good governance, he was wooing Governors instead.
“Now time for campaign, but no achievement to campaign with. Instead, they want to pretend he’s too busy with governance. #TinubuMustGo abeg.”