Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, has said President Bola Tinubu’s planned seating arrangement beside United States President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, would not have made any significant difference.
Anyim argued that sitting beside the US president would not necessarily lead to any meaningful engagement, noting that Trump’s schedule for the event would have been planned well in advance.
Speaking on Arise News, Anyim also defended Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, saying there was no requirement for the President to personally attend the annual gathering.
“I don’t understand why his absence should be an issue, but I think Nigerians are aware; they very well know that the President is on a short vacation.
“And his vice is in charge while he is away, and he simply assigns his vice to undertake the assignment. I don’t know why we are making so much out of this. Well, there is nothing that compels the President to be at UNGA. The Vice President can represent the country, even the Foreign Minister,” Anyim said.
The former Senate President said the UNGA primarily provides an opportunity for countries to present their statements, while other engagements can take place through bilateral and multilateral meetings.
“If the President did not schedule side meetings, and it’s only to appear in the General Assembly to present a statement, I don’t know what he [Tinubu] is losing. So, except if there are side meetings that were scheduled and he is not able to attend those side meetings,” he said.
Anyim was also asked about the possible message being sent by Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, particularly as it marked another occasion on which the President had not attended the gathering in person.
He maintained that Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is representing Nigeria at the event, could perform the required duties on behalf of the country.
On reports that Tinubu was expected to sit beside Trump, Anyim said such an arrangement should not be given undue importance.
“We don’t take any president by chance. The fact that you sit together with President [Trump] doesn’t make any difference.
“The President of America normally would have his schedules a year ahead. So, I don’t see the reason for all the whole fuss about the presence at UNGA and not being present at UNGA,” Anyim said.
