The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, has dismissed suggestions that the President’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly is linked to strained relations with the United States.
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Osodi spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics after the announcement that Tinubu would not attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
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Tinubu’s absence marks the third consecutive year he will not personally attend the high-level gathering. The Presidency has announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation.
Osodi said claims that Tinubu was avoiding the United States were unfounded, noting that the President had travelled to the country on previous occasions for official engagements.
He recalled that Tinubu attended the United Nations in person during an earlier administration, where he participated in meetings and other engagements, including an appearance at the stock exchange.
The presidential aide also said Tinubu recently travelled through Los Angeles while on his way to Japan, spending several days in the United States before continuing his journey.
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According to Osodi, the decision for Tinubu not to attend the UNGA should be viewed in the context of his focus on domestic matters, including the economy and security.
He also said Nigeria’s international engagements would continue despite the President’s absence, noting that the country belongs to several regional, continental and international groupings beyond the United Nations.
Osodi added that Nigeria would be adequately represented at the General Assembly, with Shettima leading the delegation and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, participating in the proceedings.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an explanation for Tinubu’s continued absence from the gathering.
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, argued that the UNGA provides an important platform for national leaders to advance diplomatic and economic interests.
He maintained that while the Vice President could represent Nigeria, a delegation could not permanently replace the President’s personal participation at such a high-level international gathering.
Atiku also questioned Tinubu’s absence despite reports that arrangements had been made for the Nigerian President to sit close to United States President Donald Trump during the event.
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