“The VP Is Saying What He Does Not Know” – Kenneth Okonkwo Slams Shettima Claims President Is “Hiding” Over UNGA

• Kenneth Okonkwo has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria.
• Okonkwo questioned why Tinubu was not attending personally and claimed the President was avoiding the United States, while the Presidency has officially said Shettima was mandated to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

Kenneth Okonkwo has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria.

Speaking on MEDIA TODAY, Okonkwo questioned Tinubu’s decision not to attend the gathering personally and criticised statements being made on behalf of the President.

“The Vice President is in UNGA saying what he does not know, and the President is somewhere hiding. Maybe because he does not want the Venezuela option. He has not been in United Nations for three consecutive years. A reasonable man should say he is hiding from United States of America,” Okonkwo said.

He also questioned why Tinubu was not present despite earlier expectations that he would attend the 2026 UNGA.

The Presidency had announced that Tinubu mandated Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, which runs from September 22 to 28, 2026. Shettima is scheduled to present Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings.

Okonkwo’s comments have generated reactions online, with some users backing his position and others criticising his remarks.

Social Media Reactions

@DeSwiss_1: Any sane person know this already And it surprises me that people are still thinking of voting again. Bush people It’s mostly the once that are benefiting directly or my tribes man or hungry Yoruba people nonsense

@Azuanuuka1: Tinubu is a drug criminal! Nemesis must catch him!

@Dannyrockie: Going by what Kenneth Okonkwo has said, it means that we have two blocked heads as president and vice president ruling us in Nigeria. This is an issue. This is a problem. Dr. Ngozi Okonji Iweala wasn’t lying when she said, Nigerians don’t like intelligent leaders. M.C

@TheGreatMan243: Indeed there was a country.