‘What exactly are you afraid of in America?’: Atiku demands explanation for Tinubu’s third consecutive UNGA absence

African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded a formal explanation from President Bola Tinubu over his decision to skip the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York — the third consecutive year he has sent Vice President Kashim Shettima in his place — and directly linked the pattern of absences to Tinubu’s controversial legal history in the United States.

In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant Phrank Shaibu on Sunday, Atiku described Tinubu’s three consecutive UNGA absences as a pattern requiring urgent public explanation and questioned whether the President’s “American baggage” — referencing a 1993 US court forfeiture case involving funds linked to Tinubu — had begun to constrain Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements at the highest level, according to First Daily.

“The United Nations General Assembly is one of the world’s most important diplomatic gatherings. It brings together the 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.

The former Vice President pointed to what he described as a particularly glaring inconsistency: Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had reportedly confirmed Tinubu’s expected attendance and said a seat had been secured for him near US President Donald Trump — only for the Presidency to later announce Shettima would lead the delegation.

“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Atiku said.

He further questioned why Nigeria was reportedly spending up to $9 million on American lobbyists while the President consistently avoided New York.

“We are not asserting that Tinubu is legally prohibited from entering the United States,” Atiku said, demanding that the Presidency state plainly whether any legal, diplomatic, medical or personal impediment prevented Tinubu’s attendance.

He concluded with a pointed challenge: “Nigeria is bigger than Bola. Our diplomatic influence, economic interests and international reputation must not be subordinated to Tinubu’s American baggage. What exactly are you afraid of in America?”