Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Third Consecutive Absence From UNGA

By Adedapo Adesanya

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Atiku Abubakar, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, raising eyebrows over the President’s third consecutive absence from the annual diplomatic gathering.

The former Vice President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu, said President Tinubu’s absence from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 sessions could no longer be regarded as a coincidence or routine delegation.

The presidency confirmed on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Mr Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, which is scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026. Mr Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings during the summit.

Mr Abubakar, a former vice president, argued that while Mr Shettima could represent Nigeria, presidential representation by delegation could not permanently substitute for the personal presence and authority of the President at a major international gathering.

“The United Nations General Assembly is one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings,” he said, adding that the event provides opportunities for leaders to defend national interests, negotiate partnerships and engage on trade, security and development.

He further argued that the sidelines of the UNGA provide opportunities for bilateral meetings, investment discussions, trade partnerships and negotiations on development financing.

“When a President makes himself absent from that stage for three consecutive years, his country loses opportunities,” he said, linking the absence to possible implications for investment, capital inflows and the wider Nigerian economy.

Mr Abubakar also questioned reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, had secured a seat for Tinubu close to United States President Donald Trump.

He asked why such a seat would have been secured if the President did not intend to attend the gathering.

The former Vice President also raised questions about the reported expenditure of up to $9 million on American lobbyists by the Tinubu administration, asking what Nigerians had gained from the expenditure if the President continued to stay away from UNGA in New York.

Mr Abubakar also linked Mr Tinubu’s absence to his historical legal proceedings in the United States, particularly a 1993 forfeiture case in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois involving funds associated with the Nigerian president and companies linked to him.

According to Mr Abubakar, the case involved US government forfeiture proceedings concerning funds allegedly connected to narcotics trafficking and money laundering, with approximately $460,000 eventually forfeited to the US government.

He stressed that he was not claiming Mr Tinubu was legally barred from entering the United States, but questioned whether the President’s American legal history had influenced his decision to remain away from UNGA.

“Nigerians are therefore entitled to ask whether Tinubu’s three consecutive UNGA absences have anything to do with this documented American history,” he said.

He called on the Presidency to explain the reason for President Tinubu’s continued absence and state whether any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal impediment prevented the President from travelling to the United States.

“Nigeria is bigger than Bola. Our diplomatic influence, economic interests and international reputation must not be subordinated to Tinubu’s American baggage,” he said.

The 81st UNGA will be held under the theme, Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all. The Presidency said VP Shettima’s participation would focus on advancing Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, strengthening strategic partnerships and engaging on issues including sustainable development, climate finance and reform of the global financial architecture.