Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Friday to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This substitution follows President Tinubu’s decision to postpone his own scheduled diplomatic trip in order to personally focus on the escalating security situation across Nigeria, marked by several recent mass abductions and attacks.
The G20 Summit, which runs from Saturday, November 22nd, to Sunday, November 23rd, is being hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and brings together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies.
President Tinubu had been scheduled to depart earlier this week, but his plans were put on hold after several violent incidents rocked the nation. Notably were the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the deadly attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
The reason for the President’s last-minute change of plans was detailed in a statement issued on November 19, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement confirmed that the postponement was necessary to allow the President to receive detailed security briefings in order to respond in full force.
Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure – Onanuga stated
In response to the crises, President Tinubu had already directed security action, including ordering the police to intensify efforts to apprehend the bandits and directing the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas in Kwara State.
Vice President Shettima will represent Nigeria through the various engagements, and is expected back in the country immediately following the conclusion of the summit.
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