UNGA 81: Tinubu’s aide dismisses arrest claims as “pure nonsense,” cites Gaddafi, Castro

President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has dismissed claims that the United States could arrest the Nigerian president, describing such suggestions as “pure nonsense” and politically motivated.

According to a report by Daily Post, Oshodi made the remarks while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, days after the Presidency confirmed Tinubu would not be physically present at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

He argued that the US would not arrest a sitting head of state, citing former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, ex-Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as foreign leaders who visited or dealt with America despite political differences.

“This election season is a silly season of people saying things for electoral advantage,” Oshodi said, adding that Tinubu had visited America “twice” with him before becoming president. “This is pure nonsense, and it’s politics.”