Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation from President Bola Tinubu over his third consecutive absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), questioning whether issues linked to the President’s past dealings with United States authorities have affected Nigeria’s foreign relations.
The call followed Sunday’s announcement by the Presidency that Tinubu had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noted that Tinubu was absent from the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions.
He said Shettima would once again lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session in 2026, arguing that the repeated absence could no longer be regarded as a routine delegation.
“The United Nations General Assembly is one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings. It brings together 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,” Atiku said.
While acknowledging that Shettima could represent Nigeria, Atiku argued that repeated delegation could not replace the President’s personal authority and visibility at a major international diplomatic gathering.
He said UNGA also provides opportunities for world leaders to hold bilateral meetings, attract investment and trade partnerships, mobilise development financing and engage directly on issues affecting their countries.
According to him, repeated presidential absence could limit Nigeria’s ability to take full advantage of those opportunities, with potential economic consequences.
“The cost is eventually transferred to ordinary citizens: fewer investments mean fewer businesses and fewer jobs,” Atiku said.
The former vice president also questioned reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had secured Tinubu a seat close to United States President Donald Trump at the General Assembly.
“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Atiku said.
He further questioned reports that the Tinubu administration had spent as much as $9 million on American lobbyists, asking why Nigeria would commit millions of dollars to lobbying efforts in the United States while the President repeatedly remained absent from the UN gathering in New York.
“What exactly did Nigerians purchase with that money?” Atiku asked.
Atiku also raised questions about Tinubu’s past legal history in the United States, citing forfeiture proceedings in Case No. 93 C 4483 before the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
According to Atiku, the case involved funds held in accounts in Tinubu’s name and those of companies associated with him, which court documents allegedly linked to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
He said the proceedings ultimately resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $460,000 to the United States government.
