The Presidency has pushed back against suggestions that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the United Nations General Assembly for the third consecutive year reflects a deterioration in Nigeria’s relationship with the United States.
Ademola Osodi, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, dismissed the claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Osodi described the argument as a familiar political narrative, insisting that Tinubu’s previous visits and engagements in the United States contradict the suggestion that relations between both countries have become strained.
The presidential aide recalled that he accompanied Tinubu during one of his trips to New York, where the Nigerian leader participated in activities connected to the UN and visited the New York Stock Exchange, where he took part in the traditional bell-ringing ceremony.
Osodi also recalled that Tinubu travelled through Los Angeles the previous year while making his way to Yokohama, Japan, for an international development meeting.
He therefore argued that the President’s decision not to personally attend this year’s UN gathering should not be interpreted as evidence of diplomatic tension between Abuja and Washington.
According to Osodi, the controversy is largely political and tends to resurface during election periods.
Nigeria will instead be represented at the 81st UN General Assembly by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is scheduled to lead the country’s delegation to New York.
Osodi maintained that Tinubu’s absence would not undermine Nigeria’s position or influence internationally.
He argued that the country would continue to play a significant role in Africa and maintain its relationships with major international organisations and emerging economic blocs, including BRICS.
The aide further maintained that Nigeria’s diplomatic responsibilities would continue to be effectively handled despite the President’s decision to remain away from the annual gathering.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the rationale behind Tinubu’s absence.
Atiku, through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, argued that having another senior government official represent the country does not entirely substitute for the physical presence of the President at a major international gathering.
Shaibu also raised questions over reports that arrangements had allegedly been made for Tinubu to sit close to United States President Donald Trump during the UNGA.
Reacting to the development, he questioned why preparations would have been made for Tinubu if the President was ultimately not going to attend the event.
“The seat was secured, but the President disappeared,” Shaibu said.
The competing positions have renewed debate over Nigeria’s representation at the UN General Assembly and the significance of presidential attendance at the annual diplomatic meeting.
While the Presidency maintains that Tinubu’s absence should not be linked to any disagreement with Washington, opposition voices continue to seek further clarification on the decision.
