Opposition leaders in Nigeria have slammed President Bola Tinubu for failing to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for a third consecutive time.

Tinubu will be represented at the 81st edition of the assembly in New York by Vice President Kashim Shettima. He's currently in France on a working vacation, where he's hosted by the country's leader, Emmanuel Macron.

Reacting, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wondered if Tinubu's absence at the UNGA since 2024 is due to medical or personal impediment.

He said in a statement, "Is he afraid of renewed scrutiny? Is he uncomfortable appearing on American soil amid continuing public interest in the narcotics drug related forfeiture proceedings? Has one man’s personal history become a burden on Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement?”

Atiku said Tinubu’s conduct presented a glaring contrast between the image he cultivated at home and the timidity he displayed on the international stage.
“So why is Tinubu eternally paranoid about the global podium, especially when that podium stands in the United States?

“Here is a President who professes tigritude at home, draped in an assortment of aliases, including ‘Jagaban,’ the leader of warriors in the Borgu Emirate, and ‘Asiwaju,’ the one who supposedly leads from the front, but who becomes a whimpering, lily-livered and timid chicken on the global stage.

“Nigeria’s foreign standing has never been more miniaturised. Under Tinubu, the country rarely features prominently in continental leadership, the Commonwealth or world affairs.

“His government deployed Nigerian fighter jets and troops to Benin Republic following the December 2025 attempted coup while bandits, terrorists and freelance criminals continued to terrorise Nigerians at home.

“Nigeria could project military power across its border, yet its President could not project Nigeria’s voice from its seat at the United Nations. That contradiction is humiliating.”

Atiku demanded that the Presidency state unequivocally whether Tinubu was free to travel to the United States and disclose the real reason for his third consecutive UNGA absence.

“If there is no impediment, the Presidency must explain this serial absenteeism. If an impediment exists, Nigerians have a right to know,” he said.

“Nigeria is bigger than Bola. Our diplomatic influence, economic interests and international reputation must not be subordinated to Tinubu’s American baggage.

“After committing up to $9 million to American lobbyists, Nigerians deserve more than silence, evasions and another empty presidential seat at the United Nations.

“Is this the kind of President Nigeria deserves?

“Mr Bola, your seat was reportedly secured near President Donald Trump. Why did you refuse to occupy it?
“What exactly are you afraid of in America?”

No hand over note from Tinubu - Sowore

Also reacting, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore based Tinubu's absence from the UNGA on medical reasons. He also lamented that the President didn't mention handing over power to his Vice President before leaving the country.

He said on X, "Soon as I raised the real reason Tinubu couldn’t go to #UNGA, even when his so-called host, @EmmanuelMacron had left for #UNGA, Tinubu @officialABAT announced he would extend his vacation by a few more days I am certain this was to get more medical treatment and then return to Nigeria packaged for a re-selection they’ve been planning all along for 2027.

"In all these, not a single word about handing over to anyone as his VP is also in New York for the annual UN jamboree. But things are not going to be the same going forward; the lies, deception and subterfuge have collapsed."

Tinubu can govern from anywhere in the world - Bwala

Reacting, presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala slammed the opposition and pointed out that the Constitution permits Tinubu to governor Nigeria from anywhere in the world.

"It is funny how opposition candidates are asking the question who is in charge of Nigeria simply because the president and Vice President are out of the country.

"For avoidance of doubt, the power of the president to govern Nigeria is not limited to geography. As commander in chief of the armed forces, he can order, direct, delegate and or administer the constitution of Nigeria anywhere in the world. See section 5 in f the constitution.

"Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, you both have not yet defined and or explained a clear alternative path other than populist rhetorics," he said.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has urged Nigerians to disregard the insinuations from the opposition concerning Tinubu's absence from the UNGA.

ASA