By Nkem Okereh

The federal government and Presidential candidate of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubarkar have engaged in war of words after the federal government announced that the vice president, Kashim Shetimma will for the third consecutive time, represent the country at the United Nations General Assembly, (UNGA)
The presidency in a statement on Sunday, named the vice president as the leader of the Nigerian delegation at the upcoming UNGA, saying that he would represent president Bola Tinubu, who is currently holidaying in Europe
It however assured that president Tinubu’s absence would not creat any vacuum from Nigeria’s representation, noting that the carefully selected delegates led by the vice president would represent the country adequately
But the presidential candidate of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, said Tinubu’s absence for a third time will adversely rub on the image and reputation of Nigeria.
Atiku in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Communication, Phrank Shaibu, challenged the presidency to explain why President Bola Tinubu is missing out among global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly for three years consecutively.
“A seat was reportedly secured for Bola near United States President Donald Trump at the world’s most important annual diplomatic gathering. Yet, for the third consecutive year, Tinubu refused to occupy it,” he lamented.
The former Vice President asked whether the President’s documented history with United States law-enforcement agencies has become a burden on Nigeria’s foreign relations.
Atiku noted that president Tinubu stayed away from the 79th UNGA session in 2024, the 80th in 2025 and now the 81st in 2026, adding that he has repeatedly sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to stand in for him.
He said three consecutive absences could no longer be dismissed as coincidence or routine delegation but constituted a pattern of presidential evasion requiring an honest explanation.
“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.
“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.
“Presidential absence on the global stage has consequences. UNGA is not merely a ceremonial gathering or an annual photo opportunity. Its sidelines are where leaders hold decisive bilateral meetings, court investors, negotiate trade partnerships, mobilise development finance and make the case for their countries.
“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.
“The cost is eventually transferred to ordinary citizens: fewer investments mean fewer businesses and fewer jobs. Reduced capital inflows place additional pressure on the local currency. A weaker naira raises the cost of imports, production, transportation and food. These are among the economic pressures now punishing Nigerian families through the worst cost-of-living crisis in living memory.
“Tinubu may consider attending UNGA a matter of personal prerogative, but the economic and diplomatic consequences of his absence are being paid by Nigerians. A President may surrender his seat, but a nation cannot escape the bill.”
He maintained that while admitting that Vice President Shettima may represent Nigeria capably, representation by delegation cannot permanently substitute for the personal authority, visibility and responsibility of the President.
Atiku described as extraordinary the reported announcement by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, that he had secured Tinubu a seat “not too far from where the US President, Donald Trump, will be seated.”
“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Atiku said.
“If proximity to President Trump was considered such a diplomatic achievement, why did Tinubu abandon the opportunity and send his deputy? Why celebrate securing a strategic seat for the President when the President had no intention of occupying it?
“That contradiction becomes even more scandalous when Nigerians remember that Tinubu’s administration committed up to $9 million of Nigeria’s scarce foreign exchange to American lobbyists supposedly hired to improve its standing before the government and people of the United States.
“What exactly did Nigerians purchase with that money? Why spend millions of dollars lobbying Washington while Tinubu repeatedly stays away from 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?
“Did the lobbyists fail, or is Tinubu’s American baggage simply too heavy for any public-relations firm to carry?”
Atiku said the President’s persistent avoidance of the United States inevitably invites troubling questions.
“Is Tinubu afraid that he could become Donald Trump’s next Nicolás Maduro ?
“Is he haunted by the controversies surrounding his American academic claims and his documented drug-related forfeiture history?
“Is this the kind of President Nigeria deserves — one who projects bravado at home but appears terrified of scrutiny abroad?”
Atiku said these questions were legitimate because of Case No. 93 C 4483 before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in which the United States government instituted forfeiture proceedings concerning funds held in multiple accounts in the name of Bola Tinubu and associated companies.
He noted that the verified complaint was brought under federal laws governing the forfeiture of assets that were connected to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
“The complaint stated that the funds represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking and money laundering,” Atiku said.
“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.”
“Nigerians are therefore entitled to ask whether Tinubu’s three consecutive UNGA absences have anything to do with this documented American history.
“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?
“Is he afraid of renewed scrutiny? Is he uncomfortable appearing on American soil amid continuing public interest in the narcotics drug related forfeiture proceedings? Has one man’s personal history become a burden on Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement?”
Atiku said Tinubu’s conduct presented a glaring contrast between the image he cultivated at home and the timidity he displayed on the international stage.
“So why is Tinubu eternally paranoid about the global podium, especially when that podium stands in the United States?
“Here is a President who professes tigritude at home, draped in an assortment of aliases, including ‘Jagaban,’ the leader of warriors in the Borgu Emirate, and ‘Asiwaju,’ the one who supposedly leads from the front, but who becomes a whimpering, lilly livered and timid chicken on the global stage.
“Nigeria’s foreign standing has never been more miniaturised. Under Tinubu, the country rarely features prominently in continental leadership, the Commonwealth or world affairs.
“His government deployed Nigerian fighter jets and troops to Benin Republic following the December 2025 attempted coup while bandits, terrorists and freelance criminals continued to terrorise Nigerians at home.
“Nigeria could project military power across its border, yet its President could not project Nigeria’s voice from its seat at the United Nations. That contradiction is humiliating.”
Atiku demanded that the Presidency state unequivocally whether Tinubu was free to travel to the United States and disclose the real reason for his third consecutive UNGA absence.
“If there is no impediment, the Presidency must explain this serial absenteeism. If an impediment exists, Nigerians have a right to know,” he said.
“Nigeria is bigger than Bola. Our diplomatic influence, economic interests and international reputation must not be subordinated to Tinubu’s American baggage.
“After committing up to $9 million to American lobbyists, Nigerians deserve more than silence, evasions and another empty presidential seat at the United Nations.
“Is this the kind of President Nigeria deserves?
“Mr Bola, your seat was reportedly secured near President Donald Trump. Why did you refuse to occupy it?
“What exactly are you afraid of in America?”
Rejecting Atiku’s position, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, assured that the country will be adequately represented at the 81st United Nations General Assembly despite President Bola Tinubu’s absence.
Ibrahim said more than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the ongoing UNGA were being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers.
Ibrahim who gave the assurance in a statement issued on Sunday by the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York and posted on his Facebook page, said Nigeria would retain its designated position at the UNGA, including its front-row seat, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing Tinubu.
The Nigerian envoy, who is also Chairman of the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other senior government officials would join Shettima at the high-level session.
He further argued that 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.
“The absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. Our delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings.”
Ibrahim 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.
The Nigerian delegation would include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the general debate and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings between September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”