The Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Campaign spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo alleged that Tinubu avoided the United States because he feared possible arrest by US President Donald Trump.
Okonkwo made the claim while speaking on Arise News. Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the ongoing UNGA in New York.
Okonkwo links absence to US records
Okonkwo said Tinubu’s absence from the UN gathering raised questions because the President has not attended the event personally since 2023.
He also referred to renewed discussions about historical US records involving Tinubu. These include a 1993 civil forfeiture matter involving about $460,000.
The campaign spokesperson argued that the issue could explain why Tinubu has stayed away from the United States.
However, the Presidency has rejected the interpretation that the records matter involves a criminal case.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the ongoing dispute concerns access to US government records under the Freedom of Information Act. He said no court has found Tinubu guilty of criminal wrongdoing.
Presidency explains Tinubu’s absence
The Presidency has said Tinubu’s absence from the Tinubu UNGA absence is linked to his extended working vacation.
The State House said Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 and later travelled to Paris. It added that he continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
The Presidency also said Tinubu delegated Shettima to represent him at the UNGA.
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information confirmed that Shettima is leading the Nigerian delegation and is scheduled to deliver the country’s national statement.
Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023. Shettima represented him at the 2024 and 2025 sessions. Shettima is representing Nigeria again at the 2026 gathering.
Earlier arrest claims disputed
Claims about a possible arrest of Tinubu in the US had surfaced before the UNGA.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, previously said the Nigerian Mission in New York had received no communication from US authorities restricting Tinubu’s movement.
Ibrahim also pointed to protections available to representatives of UN member states under the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement.
Okonkwo, however, maintained that Tinubu’s repeated absence from the United States raises questions about the President’s decision not to attend the UNGA personally.