Former vice president raises diplomatic and economic concerns over President’s decision to stay away from New York
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain his decision not to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the third consecutive year.
Atiku questioned whether issues surrounding Tinubu’s past legal proceedings in the United States had influenced the President’s repeated absence from the annual diplomatic gathering.
His position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following confirmation that Vice President Kashim Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York.
Atiku questions repeated presidential absence
According to reports, Tinubu did not attend the 79th UNGA in 2024 or the 80th session in 2025, with Shettima representing Nigeria on both occasions. Shettima has again been designated to lead the Nigerian delegation in 2026. <Cite refs={[“turn0news0″,”turn0news2”]}/>
Atiku argued that while the Vice President could represent the country, repeated delegation could not entirely replace the President’s personal presence, diplomatic authority and visibility at a major international gathering.
He said the UNGA provides heads of government with opportunities to hold bilateral meetings, negotiate partnerships, attract investment and participate in discussions on trade, security and development.
The former vice president maintained that Nigeria could lose diplomatic and economic opportunities if the country’s leadership did not maximise such engagements.
Questions about US legal history
Atiku also referred to a 1993 legal proceeding in the United States involving funds linked to Tinubu and associated companies. He raised questions about whether the President’s past US legal history could have any connection with his absence from the UNGA.
However, Atiku reportedly stated that he was not claiming that Tinubu was legally prohibited from entering the United States. The reported allegations and their suggested connection to the President’s absence have not been established as the reason for the decision.
The Presidency has not, in the information reviewed for this report, publicly confirmed that any US legal, diplomatic or personal issue prevented Tinubu from attending the UNGA.
Diplomatic representation and accountability
The annual UN General Assembly offers member states a platform to engage with other governments, international institutions and potential investors.
Atiku’s criticism forms part of the wider political contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ADC candidate questioning the government’s approach to international representation and economic diplomacy.
The Presidency’s explanation for Tinubu’s absence, if issued, would provide further context on the decision to delegate representation to the Vice President for a third consecutive year.