Spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is linked to concerns about possible arrest in the United States.
Okonkwo made the claim during an interview on Arise News, where he criticised the President’s decision to stay away from the UNGA in New York for the third consecutive year.
He alleged that Tinubu was avoiding the United States because of what he described as the “Venezuela option,” referring to his claim that the President could face arrest if he travelled to the country.
Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023 but was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2024 and 2025. Shettima is again leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st session in New York and is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Questioning the President’s absence, Okonkwo also referred to earlier reports that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, had indicated that Tinubu would attend the gathering.
He further linked Tinubu’s absence to renewed discussions surrounding historical legal records in the United States.
Okonkwo referred to a previous US civil forfeiture proceeding involving about $460,000 and alleged that the matter was connected to narcotics-related concerns.
However, the Presidency has rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA is connected to any restriction on his travel to the United States.
Presidential aide Ademola Osodi said there was “absolutely no impediment” preventing Tinubu from travelling to the US, while the Federal Government said the President’s absence was because he was on annual leave and had mandated Shettima to represent him.
The Presidency has also described claims linking Tinubu’s UNGA absence to US legal issues as political speculation, stressing that Nigeria remains fully represented at the General Assembly.
Meanwhile, Shettima is expected to participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners during the UNGA session.
The 81st UN General Assembly is holding in New York from September 22 to 28, 2026.