Atiku Seeks Explanation for Tinubu’s Third Consecutive Absence from UNGA
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain his third consecutive absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following the Presidency’s announcement that Vice President Kashim Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York.
Tinubu did not attend the 79th UNGA in 2024 or the 80th session in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions. Shettima is again representing the President at the 81st session in 2026.
Atiku said the repeated absence required clarification, particularly because the UNGA provides a major platform for heads of government to present their countries’ foreign policy priorities and engage directly with other world leaders.
He argued that the annual gathering also offers opportunities for bilateral meetings, investment discussions, trade partnerships and negotiations on development financing.
According to Atiku, although the Vice President can represent Nigeria at the gathering, repeated delegation cannot fully replace the President’s personal participation and visibility at a major international diplomatic event.
The former Vice President further questioned whether issues connected to Tinubu’s past legal history in the United States had any bearing on the President’s decision not to attend the UNGA.
Atiku specifically asked whether the President’s history with United States authorities had become a factor in Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship with Washington.
However, he acknowledged that the Presidency had not announced any legal restriction preventing Tinubu from travelling to the United States.
Atiku also questioned the reported expenditure of about $9 million on American lobbyists by the administration, asking what Nigerians had received in return for the spending while the President remained absent from the UN gathering.
He further referred to a past US forfeiture case involving funds associated with Tinubu, raising questions about whether the matter could have any connection with his repeated absence from the United States.
The allegations and questions raised by Atiku have, however, been rejected by the Presidency.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said Tinubu’s absence from the 81st UNGA was not connected to any restriction on his travel to the United States.
Osodi said the President had previously travelled to the United States and dismissed suggestions that Tinubu was unable to enter the country. He also maintained that the President’s absence would not diminish Nigeria’s international role.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, also defended the country’s representation at the General Assembly, noting that Shettima and other senior Nigerian officials would participate in the diplomatic engagements.
The 81st UNGA is bringing together world leaders in New York for discussions on major international issues, including global security, development, climate change and emerging technologies.
Atiku called on the Presidency to provide Nigerians with clarification on the reasons for Tinubu’s absence and to reassure the public that Nigeria’s diplomatic interests and international engagements were not being compromised.
The controversy comes as Shettima leads Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA on behalf of the President.
