Former Senate President Pius Anyim has said President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York should not be a cause for concern.

Anyim, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said Tinubu’s decision to delegate Nigeria’s representation to Vice President Kashim Shettima was within the country’s constitutional framework.

He made the statement while featuring on a live television programme.Tinubu was initially expected to return to Nigeria after a short working vacation but extended his stay abroad.

The Presidency said the President would use the period for a private visit and other engagements before returning to the country.Shettima is currently representing Nigeria at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Anyim said the President’s absence should not generate unnecessary concern, noting that the Vice President has the capacity to represent the country at the gathering.

He explained that the UN General Assembly consists of the main session as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings held on the sidelines, adding that the country’s statement at the assembly could be delivered by the Vice President.

According to him, Tinubu’s absence would only become significant if there were specific engagements at the UNGA that required his personal attendance.

Anyim also dismissed concerns that Tinubu’s absence could prevent him from meeting United States President Donald Trump, saying high-level meetings between world leaders are usually scheduled in advance rather than occurring by chance.He added that Tinubu was not the only world leader who had chosen not to attend the annual UN gathering in person.