Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has publicly demanded that President Bola Tinubu explain why he has skipped the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the third consecutive year. In a statement released on Sunday, September 20, 2026, Atiku questioned whether Tinubu's documented legal history in the United States is the real reason behind his repeated absences.
Tinubu Delegates Shettima Again as Atiku Raises Questions
President Tinubu mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the 81st UNGA session in New York, USA, according to Legit.ng reports. Atiku noted that Tinubu sat out the 79th UNGA session in 2024, the 80th in 2025, and now the 81st in 2026, each time delegating Shettima to attend in his place.
Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, made this known in a statement made available to Legit.ng. Atiku described the pattern as one that could no longer be brushed aside as normal diplomatic delegation. He argued that the absence carried real economic consequences for ordinary Nigerians, stressing that UNGA was where leaders secured investments, negotiated trade deals, and built relationships that shaped their countries' fortunes.
"When a President makes himself absent from that stage for three consecutive years, his country loses opportunities. Investment does not follow silence," Atiku said.
Seat Near Trump Left Empty, Atiku Cites 1993 US Case
The statement highlighted what Atiku called a particular embarrassment: Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had reportedly announced that he secured a seat for Tinubu close to US President Donald Trump at this year's session. Despite that, Tinubu did not attend.
Atiku linked the absences to a 1993 legal proceeding in the United States. He cited Case No. 93 C 4483 before the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in which the US government sought forfeiture of funds held in accounts under the name of Bola Tinubu and associated companies. He said the action was brought under federal laws on narcotics trafficking and money laundering, and that a sworn affidavit from an Internal Revenue Service criminal-investigation agent connected the funds to drug-trafficking proceeds. The case resulted in the forfeiture of roughly $460,000 to the US government.
"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?" Atiku asked.
Atiku Questions $9 Million Lobbying Spend and Demands Transparency
Atiku also pointed to reports that Tinubu's administration spent up to $9 million of Nigeria's foreign exchange hiring American lobbyists to improve Nigeria's standing with the US government and public. "What exactly did Nigerians purchase with that money? Why spend millions of dollars lobbying Washington while Tinubu repeatedly stays away from New York?" Atiku asked.
He demanded that the Presidency state clearly whether Tinubu faced any impediment to travelling to the United States, and disclose the true reason behind three years of UNGA absences. "Nigeria is bigger than Bola. Our diplomatic influence, economic interests and international reputation must not be subordinated to Tinubu's American baggage," Atiku said.
In a related development, Legit.ng also reported that Atiku accused the APC Campaign Council of misrepresenting the outcome of the Mambilla arbitration ruling. Shaibu issued a press statement on September 18, 2026, demanding APC cite exact tribunal paragraphs. Atiku also drew a contrast between the Mambilla claims and the 1993 US court forfeiture decree against President Tinubu.
