...Eze demands explanation for President’s three-year non-attendance, questions diplomatic implications
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), saying the development raises concerns about Nigeria’s international visibility and diplomatic engagement.
Eze, a media consultant and former National Publicity Secretary of the nPDP, made the observation in a statement issued on Monday, following Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st session of the UNGA in New York.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 UNGA, marking the third consecutive year that Tinubu has not personally attended the annual high-level gathering. Shettima also represented Nigeria at the 79th UNGA in 2024 and the 80th session in 2025.
Eze described the repeated absence as “worrisome”, arguing that the personal presence of a sitting Nigerian President at major international diplomatic forums could provide opportunities for direct engagement with other heads of government, investors and international institutions.
“Since 2024, 2025 and now 2026, President Tinubu has systematically avoided attending the United Nations General Assembly. This is a huge dent and national embarrassment on Nigeria’s international image,” Eze said.
He challenged the Presidency to explain the circumstances behind the President’s continued absence from the gathering.
“What is it that is frightening President Tinubu from attending the gathering of Presidents and world leaders?
“Nigeria cannot afford to have a President who appears reluctant to personally engage with his counterparts at a major international diplomatic forum,” he stated.
Eze argued that UNGA provides Nigeria with a platform to advance its national interests, strengthen bilateral relations, pursue investment opportunities and project its position on major global issues.
He, however, acknowledged that the Vice-President is constitutionally capable of representing the President, but maintained that repeated delegation of the responsibility warranted public discussion about Nigeria’s diplomatic strategy.
The ADC chieftain also questioned whether the Federal Government’s diplomatic and economic engagements with the United States would have benefited from Tinubu’s personal presence at the UNGA.
“After the enormous diplomatic and public-relations efforts directed at improving Nigeria’s relationship and image in Washington, why is the President not physically present at UNGA?” he queried.
He further asked whether the much-publicised Nigeria-US engagements and proposed economic initiatives were progressing as expected and whether sufficient high-level meetings had been secured around the UNGA.
Eze also referenced ongoing US litigation concerning requests for the release of FBI and DEA records relating to historical investigations involving Tinubu. However, he did not provide evidence establishing that the litigation was responsible for the President’s decision not to attend UNGA.
The Presidency has previously rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence from the 81st UNGA was connected to any restriction on his travel to the United States. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, said the President’s absence would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing or its role in African affairs.
Eze nevertheless urged the Presidency to provide Nigerians with clear information to dispel speculation surrounding the President’s repeated non-attendance.
The ADC chieftain also drew attention to the recent diplomatic engagements between Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron, noting that Macron subsequently travelled to New York to participate in the UNGA.
“It is instructive that President Emmanuel Macron, who received President Tinubu in France, subsequently left France for New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly,” he said.
According to Eze, Nigeria’s participation in international diplomacy should go beyond delegation and ceremonial representation, particularly on occasions that bring together heads of state and government from around the world.
“Nigeria is a major African country with enormous economic, political and strategic interests.
“Our President should be seen engaging directly with world leaders and advancing Nigeria’s interests, and not shying away when his physical presence matters most,” he said.
The ADC chieftain said the issue was not about personalities but “Nigeria’s image, Nigeria’s interests and Nigeria’s place in the international community”.
“Nigerians deserve transparency, accountability and clear explanations. The Presidency should tell Nigerians why the President has stayed away from UNGA for three consecutive years,” Eze added.
He urged the administration to demonstrate that Nigeria’s diplomatic interests were being adequately protected despite the President’s absence.
Eze concluded by questioning the implications of the development for the country’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the Presidency and Nigerian diplomatic officials have maintained that the country remains adequately represented at the UNGA through the Vice-President and other senior officials.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has also defended the delegation arrangement, noting that countries are not required to have their presidents personally attend every UNGA session.
