UNGA: Tinubu’s cancellation of attendance sparks fresh debates

The announcement that President Bola Tinubu would no longer attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, as earlier announced, has sparked fresh debate among Nigerians.

Recall that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier in July, through a statement, said Tinubu would attend this year’s UNGA.

He even said that a seat had been secured for Tinubu not too far from where United States President Donald Trump would be seated.

However, a statement yesterday by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman for Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced that Tinubu had directed Shettima to lead the Nigerian delegation to the event.

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Part of the statement read: “President Bola Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.

“VP Shettima will lead a high-level delegation comprising Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, ministers and other senior government officials.

“The 81st UNGA General Debate will be held from September 22 to 28, under the theme, ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.’

“At the General Debate, Senator Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.

“The Vice President will also participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.

“Senator Shettima is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and participate in a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

“The engagements will provide Nigeria an opportunity to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.”

The cancellation of the earlier announcement has not gone down well with some Nigerians, particularly considering the fact that this is the third consecutive UNGA that Tinubu would be absent from since he assumed office in 2023.

In fact, since he became President, he has never attended the global event, a development that has been interpreted in various ways.

There is claim in certain quarters that the President is afraid of being arrested over allegations relating to a heroin-trafficking court case in the US. 

Others have claimed that Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA followed President Trump’s signing of an executive order. A few days ago, US President Trump signed an executive order designating foreign drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations and authorising massive arrests, as well as the use of lethal military force against them.

Some have linked this development to Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA, arguing that he would not want to be disgraced in the US. However, the presidency has continued to dismiss such claims. 

The latest development has sparked reactions on Facebook, Instagram, X and other social media platforms.

A Facebook user wrote: “Nnaa, if this man does not attend that meeting, that means his conscience is not clear. Make Nigerians no vote him come January 16, 2027.”

Another person wrote: “If he is sure of himself, let him travel. Na that time we go know say e get mind.”

An Instagram user also said: “If he does not attend, it means something is fishy. The FBI should do the needful.”

Also, an X user posted: “Thought they said he will be sitting next to Trump? Now, he is afraid to travel because Trump signed that Executive Order?”

Another viral comment read: “Let him go and explain his drug case to the world. Nigeria deserves better than a President who is afraid of New York.

“This is not about APC or PDP; this is about Nigeria’s image. The President must attend the UNGA or forget 2027.”

Meanwhile, there are those who claim that the President is focusing on domestic issues and preparations for the 2027 election.

However, other Nigerians insist that President Tinubu must appear in person at the UNGA to defend Nigeria’s interests and address renewed calls for the FBI to release unredacted records related to his 1993 civil forfeiture case in Chicago.

The former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has also added his voice to those calling for an explanation from Tinubu over his decision not to attend the 81st UNGA in New York.

He questioned whether the President’s past controversies in the United States had become a burden on Nigeria’s foreign relations.

A statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Tinubu had also been absent from the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th UNGA in 2025, with Shettima representing him on both occasions.

According to the former Vice President, the repeated absences require an explanation. He said: “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.

“Vice President Shettima may represent Nigeria capably, but representation by delegation cannot permanently substitute for the personal authority, visibility and responsibility of the President.

“Tinubu cannot continue to treat Nigeria’s seat at the world’s biggest diplomatic table as though it were an inconvenient appointment that can be endlessly outsourced,” he said.

He also questioned the economic implications of the President’s absence, saying the sidelines of the UNGA provide opportunities for leaders to engage investors, development partners and other governments.

“When a President makes himself absent from that stage for three consecutive years, his country loses opportunities.

“Investment does not follow silence. International capital does not pursue a country whose leader repeatedly abandons the room in which consequential economic relationships are being built,” he added.

He further linked Tinubu’s absence to Nigeria’s reported $9 million engagement of a US lobbying firm.

He said documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act showed that the Federal Government, through Kaduna-based Aster Legal, retained Washington-based DCI Group in a deal valued at $9 million to help communicate Nigeria’s security efforts and maintain US support for counterterrorism efforts.

According to him, reports also said the initial $4.5 million retainer was paid, with the arrangement structured at $750,000 per month.

He said the spending raised questions about why the administration would invest heavily in improving Nigeria’s standing in Washington while the President repeatedly stayed away from the UNGA in New York.

“Why hire lobbyists to speak for Nigeria in America when the Nigerian President cannot summon the courage to appear at the world’s biggest diplomatic gathering on American soil?” he queried.

Atiku also questioned an earlier statement by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN that a seat had been secured for Tinubu “not too far from where the US President, Donald Trump, will be seated.”

“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared. If proximity to President Trump was considered such a diplomatic achievement, why did Tinubu abandon the opportunity and send his deputy?” he asked.

He raised questions about Tinubu’s history in the United States, referring to a 1993 forfeiture case in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

“The complaint stated that the funds represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

“A supporting sworn affidavit by an Internal Revenue Service criminal investigation agent similarly stated that funds in accounts controlled by Bola Tinubu were connected to drug-trafficking proceeds. The proceedings eventually resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $460,000 to the United States government,” Atiku said.

He acknowledged that there was no announced legal restriction preventing Tinubu from travelling to the United States but questioned whether his past legal controversies had influenced his decision.

“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? How can one man’s personal history become a burden on Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement?” he asked.

However, Ambassador Ibrahim, who earlier announced in July that the President would attend the UNGA, has now said there is no cause for concern over Tinubu’s absence from the event.

He argued that more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the ongoing 81st session of the UNGA were being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers.

In a statement by the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York, he said it was not unusual for countries to delegate representation to senior government officials when their presidents were unable to attend.

“The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session,” he said.

He explained that President Tinubu would not personally attend the session as he is currently in France on annual leave.

“The absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. Our delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to view the country’s participation within the broader context of diplomatic representation, stressing that Nigeria would continue to play its role fully at the General Assembly.

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