Atiku Demands Explanation Over Tinubu’s Third Consecutive UNGA Absence

By Nafiu Muhammad Lema

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded an explanation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

GaskiyaCast reported that the Presidency announced on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, scheduled for September 22 to 28, 2026. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders and development partners.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Tinubu’s absence as a pattern, noting that Shettima also represented the President at the 79th and 80th UNGA sessions in 2024 and 2025.

Atiku argued that while the Vice President could represent Nigeria, repeated presidential absence from the gathering limited the opportunity for the President to personally engage world leaders, investors and international institutions.

“The United Nations General Assembly is one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings. It brings together the representatives of the UN’s 193 member states and provides a unique platform for presidents and prime ministers to defend their countries’ interests, negotiate partnerships and shape global decisions on trade, security and development.”

The former Vice President also questioned the economic and diplomatic implications of Tinubu’s absence, arguing that the sidelines of the UNGA provide opportunities for bilateral meetings, investment discussions and negotiations on development financing.

“When a President makes himself absent from that stage for three consecutive years, his country loses opportunities. Investment does not follow silence.”

Atiku further questioned reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had previously said a seat had been secured for Tinubu close to United States President Donald Trump.

“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Atiku said, questioning why efforts were made to secure the seat if Tinubu would ultimately not attend.

He also linked Tinubu’s absence to the administration’s reported engagement of American lobbyists, alleging that up to $9 million in public funds had been committed to lobbying efforts in the United States.

“What exactly did Nigerians purchase with that money? Why spend millions of dollars lobbying Washington while Tinubu repeatedly stays away from New York?”

Atiku subsequently raised questions about Tinubu’s past legal history in the United States, citing a 1993 forfeiture proceeding in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

He said the proceedings involved funds in accounts associated with Tinubu and alleged that the funds were linked to narcotics trafficking and money laundering. Atiku acknowledged that the proceedings did not establish that Tinubu was legally barred from entering the United States.

“We are not asserting that Tinubu is legally prohibited from entering the United States. The Presidency has announced no such restriction. But if no legal, diplomatic, medical or personal impediment exists, why has Tinubu repeatedly avoided the UNGA since 2024?”

The former Vice President called on the Presidency to clarify whether there was any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal reason preventing Tinubu from attending the UNGA.

“If there is no impediment, the Presidency must explain this serial absenteeism. If an impediment exists, Nigerians have a right to know.”

The Presidency, however, said Shettima’s participation would advance Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests at the General Assembly. According to the statement announcing the delegation, the Vice President will participate in high-level meetings on development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa, as well as bilateral engagements with foreign leaders and development partners.

Tinubu last attended the UN General Assembly in person in 2023, while Shettima represented him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025.