Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to explain why the President will again not attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, describing his repeated absence as a matter deserving public clarification.
The development follows the Presidency’s announcement that Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent Nigeria and lead the country’s delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to Atiku, Tinubu’s decision marks the third consecutive year that the President will not personally attend the high-level UN gathering. He noted that Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th General Assembly in 2024 and the 80th session in 2025.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the repeated delegation of Nigeria’s representation to the Vice President should not be treated as an ordinary diplomatic arrangement.
He stressed that the UN General Assembly remains one of the most significant international platforms available to national leaders, providing opportunities to engage directly with heads of government, pursue diplomatic initiatives and strengthen economic partnerships.
Atiku argued that presidential participation could also create opportunities for Nigeria to attract investment, secure development financing and advance the country’s interests on issues ranging from trade and security to economic development.
While acknowledging that Shettima was capable of representing Nigeria, Atiku said the Vice President’s participation could not completely replace the authority and visibility of the President at a major gathering of world leaders.
He consequently questioned whether Nigeria might be losing diplomatic and economic opportunities as a result of Tinubu’s repeated absence.
According to Atiku, any reduction in investment and international economic engagement could ultimately have consequences for Nigerians through its potential effect on businesses and employment.
Atiku Questions Reported U.S. Lobbying Expenditure
The former vice president also raised questions about reports that the Tinubu administration had spent as much as $9 million on lobbyists in the United States.
Atiku questioned the rationale for such expenditure if the President would repeatedly choose not to attend one of the most important diplomatic events held annually in New York.
He also referred to reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, had secured a seat for Tinubu close to United States President Donald Trump during the General Assembly.
Atiku used the report to question why the President would not attend after arrangements had allegedly been made for his participation.
Questions Over Tinubu’s Previous U.S. Legal Case
Atiku further brought Tinubu’s past legal history in the United States into the debate.
He referred to a 1993 forfeiture proceeding before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, identified as Case No. 93 C 4483.
Atiku said court records from the case involved funds held in accounts associated with Tinubu and companies linked to him. He further referenced allegations contained in the proceedings concerning narcotics trafficking and money laundering and noted that approximately $460,000 was ultimately forfeited to the U.S. government.
Using that history as the basis for his questions, Atiku asked whether Tinubu’s past dealings with U.S. authorities had any connection to his decision not to attend the UN General Assembly.
However, Atiku specifically acknowledged that he was not claiming that Tinubu is legally prohibited from entering the United States.
He said the Presidency had not announced any such restriction and argued that, if there was no legal, diplomatic, medical or personal reason preventing the President from attending, the administration should explain why he had chosen not to go.
Atiku also questioned whether Tinubu’s previous U.S. legal controversies had affected Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship with Washington.
He asked whether the President’s personal history had become an obstacle to Nigeria’s broader diplomatic and economic interests.
Call for Explanation
Atiku maintained that Nigeria’s international interests should take precedence over the personal circumstances of any individual occupying the presidency.
He therefore called on the Presidency to provide Nigerians with a clear explanation for Tinubu’s continued absence from the UN General Assembly.
The former vice president said that if there was a specific impediment preventing the President from attending, Nigerians should be informed, while if no such impediment existed, the government should explain the decision to delegate the responsibility for a third consecutive year.
His comments come as Vice President Shettima prepares to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Continued Absence From UN General Assembly
