UNGA absence: Tinubu has no issues with US, says aide

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, has dismissed suggestions that the president has issues with the United States following the announcement of his third consecutive absence from the United Nations General Assembly.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Osodi described the suggestion as an “old chestnut”, insisting that Tinubu has travelled to the US on previous occasions.

“I was with the President when he went to the United Nations; physically I was there, you saw it on social media. He went to the stock exchange, he rang the bell, he had meetings on the side. Even in more recent times, I think last year, we transited Los Angeles on our way to Japan for the Japanese Development Agency,” Osodi said.

He also recalled that Tinubu recently transited through Los Angeles on his way to Japan, saying the president spent a few days in the US before continuing his journey.

“We were in Los Angeles for few days before we flew to Yokohama, Japan. We were in America, I was there with them. So it is politics, we can talk about this every single election cycle, it is just politics,” he said.

Osodi’s comments came amid criticism of Tinubu’s decision to skip the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York for the third consecutive year.

The Presidency had announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.

Defending the President’s absence, Osodi said Tinubu was focused on domestic issues, including the economy and security, while stressing that Nigeria’s international role would not be affected.

“Nigeria has a diverse interest in all regional groups, continental groups and even groups of the South-South like the BRICS. So, the United Nations is not the only group that we are member of,” he said.

“With or without his presence there will not change Nigeria’s role as giant of Africa, the leader of the economic resurgence of Africa,” Osodi added.

The presidential aide also said Nigeria would be adequately represented at the UNGA with the presence of the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.

However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation for Tinubu’s third consecutive absence from the gathering.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the UNGA as an important platform for world leaders to advance their countries’ diplomatic and economic interests.

“Vice President Shettima may represent Nigeria capably, but representation by delegation cannot permanently substitute for the personal authority, visibility and responsibility of the President,” Atiku said.

He also questioned why Tinubu would miss the gathering after Jimoh Ibrahim reportedly said arrangements had been made for the president to sit close to US President Donald Trump.

“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Atiku said.