The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is avoiding the United States because he fears being arrested during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, described the claim as “pure nonsense” and said it was politically motivated.
Oshodi spoke during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, following widespread reactions to the Presidency’s confirmation that Tinubu would not personally attend this year’s UN General Assembly.
According to the presidential aide, there was no impediment to Tinubu travelling to the United States, insisting that the American authorities would not arrest a sitting head of state.
He cited former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as examples of foreign leaders who, despite having strained relations with the United States, had visited or engaged with the country.
Oshodi said the suggestion that Tinubu was staying away from the UNGA because he feared arrest was part of political arguments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
He said Tinubu had previously travelled to the United States and that he had personally accompanied the President on two such trips.
The aide added that the President’s absence from the UNGA should not be interpreted as an indication that he was unable to travel to the United States.
The Presidency had earlier confirmed that Vice President Kashim Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
The development has generated political debate, with critics questioning the decision for Tinubu to miss the annual gathering of world leaders, while the Presidency has maintained that Nigeria will be adequately represented.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly brings together representatives of the organisation’s member states for discussions on global issues and international cooperation.
