UNGA: Why Tinubu Is Absent, Avoiding ‘Venezuela Option’ – Okonkwo

ADC presidential campaign spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has linked President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly to unresolved controversy surrounding historical U.S. records involving the Nigerian leader.

Okonkwo made the claim during an interview with Arise News, accusing the President of avoiding the United States because of concerns about possible legal action.

His comments came after Tinubu failed to attend the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria at the session. Tinubu’s absence marks the third consecutive year he has delegated Nigeria’s representation to his deputy.

Okonkwo argued that Tinubu should have appeared personally at the international gathering, especially because of Nigeria’s position in global affairs.

He further criticised Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, accusing him of defending the administration without adequately explaining why Tinubu was absent.

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The ADC campaign spokesperson referred to what he described as the “Venezuela option,” suggesting that Tinubu might be concerned about the possibility of arrest if he travelled to the United States.

However, Nigerian officials have disputed any suggestion that Tinubu faces restrictions in the United States.

Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said earlier in September that Tinubu and members of his family had unimpeded transit in the United States and could attend the UNGA. He also said the Nigerian mission had received no notification of any U.S. restriction on the President’s movement.

Okonkwo also raised the issue of a 1990s U.S. forfeiture involving $460,000 connected to accounts associated with Tinubu. Court documents record the forfeiture, while recent legal proceedings have revived interest in historical U.S. records concerning the matter.

In August, reports said Tinubu had challenged the release of records being sought through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit involving U.S. agencies. The records reportedly concern investigations from the early 1990s.

Okonkwo interpreted these developments as a possible explanation for Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA.

The allegation, however, remains Okonkwo’s political claim. There is no cited evidence establishing that fear of arrest is the reason for Tinubu’s absence.

The controversy has nevertheless renewed debate in Nigeria over the President’s foreign engagements and the handling of historical allegations involving his time in the United States.