Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's UNGA Absences Impacting Nigerians

Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, has publicly criticized President Bola Tinubu for his repeated absences from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku pointed out that Tinubu missed the 79th UNGA session in 2024, the 80th in 2025, and now the 81st in 2026, delegating Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him instead.

Atiku demanded an explanation for Tinubu's absences, questioning if his history with U.S. law enforcement has affected Nigeria's foreign relations. He argued that Tinubu's absence constitutes a pattern of evasion that has significant economic and diplomatic repercussions for Nigeria.

Atiku emphasized that the UNGA is crucial for international negotiations and partnerships, and that Tinubu's absence leads to lost investment opportunities, ultimately impacting the Nigerian populace through a worsening cost-of-living crisis.