Atiku Demands Tinubu To Explain Third UNGA Absence
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide a full explanation
for his third consecutive absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank
Shaibu, Atiku noted that Tinubu stayed away from the 79th session in 2024, the 80th in 2025 and the
81st in 2026, each time sending Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria.
“Three consecutive absences can no longer be dismissed as coincidence or routine delegation but
constitute a pattern of presidential evasion requiring an honest explanation,” Atiku said.
He described the UNGA as one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings, where heads of
state defend national interests, negotiate partnerships and shape decisions on trade, security and
development.
While acknowledging that Shettima could represent Nigeria capably, Atiku argued that “representation
by delegation cannot permanently substitute for the personal authority, visibility and responsibility of
the President.”
Atiku questioned reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim,
had secured a seat for Tinubu close to that of US President Donald Trump.
“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” he said.
“If proximity to President Trump was considered such a diplomatic achievement, why did Tinubu
abandon the opportunity and send his deputy?”
He also linked the absences to a 1993 US court case (No. 93 C 4483) in the Northern District of Illinois
involving the forfeiture of funds linked to accounts under Tinubu’s name over alleged narcotics
trafficking and money laundering.
Atiku stressed that he was not claiming Tinubu was legally barred from entering the United States but
asked why the President had repeatedly avoided the gathering if no impediment existed.
The former Vice-President further criticised the reported expenditure of up to $9 million on American
lobbyists to improve Nigeria’s standing in Washington while Tinubu stayed away from New York.
“What exactly did Nigerians purchase with that money? Why spend millions of dollars lobbying
Washington while staying away from New York?” he asked.
Atiku demanded that the Presidency state clearly whether any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal
impediment prevented the President from travelling to the United States and disclose the real reason
for the serial absences.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
