{
  "id": 8790361,
  "title": "UNGA: Atiku challenges Tinubu as Shettima leads delegation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/unga-atiku-challenges-tinubu-as-shettima-leads-delegation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T23:18:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/unga-atiku-challenges-tinubu-as-shettima-leads-delegation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised questions about President Bola Tinubu's decision to abstain from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, while Vice President Kashim Shettima represents Nigeria at the event. Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, demanded an explanation from the President, noting that Tinubu has missed three consecutive UNGA sessions since 2024. The Presidency announced that Shettima would lead Nigeria's delegation, which will include high-ranking officials such as Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State. The 81st UNGA debate is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28, 2026, with Shettima set to deliver Nigeria's national statement and participate in high-level meetings during the week-long assembly.",
  "summary": "Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to miss the UN General Assembly for a third time, demanding answers. Read More: https://punchng.com/unga-atiku-challenges-tinubu-as-shettima-leads-delegation/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "UNGA 81: US didn’t arrest Gaddafi, Castro, Ayatollah Khomeini – Tinubu’s aide",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/unga-81-us-didnt-arrest-gaddafi-castro-ayatollah-khomeini-tinubus-aide",
        "published": "2026-09-20T21:03:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Reactions trail Tinubu’s UNGA absence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/reactions-trail-tinubus-unga-absence",
        "published": "2026-09-20T22:06:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "UNGA: Atiku challenges Tinubu as Shettima leads delegation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/unga-atiku-challenges-tinubu-as-shettima-leads-delegation-8792548",
        "published": "2026-09-20T23:32:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Presidency explains Tinubu’s absence at UNGA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/presidency-explains-tinubus-absence-at-unga",
        "published": "2026-09-21T06:26:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}