{
  "id": 8792548,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T23:32:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "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 avoid the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, as Vice President Kashim Shettima has taken his place leading Nigeria's delegation. Atiku expressed his concern in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, stating that Tinubu's absence marks his third consecutive absence from the UNGA since 2024, and he demanded an explanation from the President. The Presidency announced Tinubu's decision to send Shettima to represent him at the UNGA, where he will deliver Nigeria's national statement and engage in high-level meetings. The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22-28, 2026. Atiku highlighted Tinubu's repeated absence from the UNGA, asking whether the President's past interactions with US law-enforcement agencies have impacted Nigeria's foreign relations.",
  "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",
        "title": "UNGA: Atiku challenges Tinubu as Shettima leads delegation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/unga-atiku-challenges-tinubu-as-shettima-leads-delegation",
        "published": "2026-09-20T23:18:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}