Tinubu Finally Cancels South Africa G20 Summit Trip, Sends Shettima Instead
- President Tinubu has cancelled his scheduled trip to the G20 Summit and directed Vice President Shettima to represent Nigeria
- The Presidency said Tinubu stayed back to attend to security concerns following recent incidents in Kebbi and Kwara States
- Vice President Shettima departed Abuja for Johannesburg to join world leaders at the two-day G20 gathering
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn from his planned attendance at the G20 Leaders Summit in South Africa and has asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to stand in for him.
The decision followed what the Presidency described as the need for the President to focus on rising security concerns at home.
Source: Facebook
Shettima departed Abuja on Thursday to take Nigeria’s seat at the two day gathering, which will hold at the Johannesburg Expo Centre. The Summit will run from November 22 to 23.
Tinubu stays back over security concerns
The senior special assistant to the president on media and communications in the office of the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed the development in a statement. He said President Tinubu opted to remain in the country to receive more briefings on recent security incidents in Kebbi and Kwara States.
According to him, the change in plan made it necessary for the Vice President to lead the Nigerian delegation.
Nkwocha added that Shettima had already left the capital for Johannesburg before the announcement was made public. He explained that the President had earlier postponed the trip while awaiting updates from security agencies.
World leaders gather in Johannesburg
This year's G20 Summit was convened at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who currently chairs the global economic bloc. The event will draw leaders from the world’s twenty largest economies, along with representatives of the European Union, the African Union and major financial institutions.
Nigeria had been expected to participate at the highest level, given the significance of the forum to global economic stability and developmental cooperation. The President’s last-minute adjustment, according to officials, became unavoidable due to emerging domestic priorities that required his attention.
Nkwocha noted that the Vice President will attend all sessions and bilateral meetings scheduled for Nigeria. He will also return to the country at the end of the Summit.
The G20 platform has served as a channel for Nigeria to push for stronger support for developing economies, especially in areas relating to reforms in global finance, energy transition and debt sustainability.
Rescue operation launched after school abduction
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that armed attackers had abducted 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko district of Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state.
The incident took place around 4 - 5am on Monday, November 17, when gunmen invaded the school while firing into the air.
Source: Facebook
Police personnel stationed at the location engaged the intruders but the attackers had already entered the compound and fled with the students.
A statement released by the Kebbi state police command said one resident identified as Hassan Makuku was killed during the assault. Another man, Ali Shehu, sustained an injury to his hand.
Heavily armed bandits kill 16 vigilantes
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that at least 16 vigilante members had been reported dead and more than forty residents abducted following a series of coordinated attacks by bandits across several communities in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger state.
The incidents occurred between Sunday, November 9 and Thursday, November 13 and have forced many villagers to flee their homes.
Source: Legit.ng
