The African Democratic Congress fired a broadside at President Bola Tinubu's campaign for a permanent UN Security Council seat Sunday, calling it "absurd" while bandits rampage unchecked, even as Vice President Kashim Shettima wrapped UN General Assembly engagements with fresh African Development Bank pledges to expand agro-industrial zones across 24 states.

In a statement from national publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party lambasted the administration for eyeing global security clout amid rampant killings and kidnappings, insisting Nigeria must first prove it can protect its own before demanding a council voice.

The ADC also questioned Tinubu's no-show at the Nigerian Defence Academy's commissioning in Kaduna Saturday, viewing it as a snub to military morale.

Shettima, standing in for Tinubu at the UNGA's 80th session, drew praise from Secretary-General António Guterres for Nigeria's reform push and secured AfDB backing to scale climate-resilient farming hubs from eight states and the FCT to 24 more, aiming to tap a $3.4 trillion African trade market. He pitched Nigeria's $200 billion energy shift to investors and forged UK pacts on defense and migration during the New York stint.

Abdullahi underscored the disconnect: "Nigeria’s request... remains laughable until the government shows capacity to secure lives." Shettima, departing for Germany post-UNGA, met St Kitts and Nevis PM Terrance Drew to boost Africa-Caribbean links, while appealing for AfDB loans beyond the $10 billion portfolio to fuel youth-led ventures.