UNGA 81: Tinubu Hiding, Running Away From Arrest by Trump — Kenneth Okonkwo

Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is avoiding the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York because he fears being arrested by US President Donald Trump.

Okonkwo made the allegation while commenting on Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the ongoing UNGA, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria and leading the country’s delegation.

According to Okonkwo, Tinubu’s absence from the high-level gathering was not simply a matter of scheduling or domestic commitments. He alleged that the President was deliberately staying away from the United States because of concerns over possible legal action.

The claim comes amid renewed public discussion about Tinubu’s historical dealings with US authorities and ongoing litigation concerning access to old FBI and other US government records.

However, there is no verified evidence that the US government has issued an arrest warrant for Tinubu or that Trump has ordered plans to arrest him during the UNGA.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, previously dismissed such claims, saying the Nigerian Mission to the UN had received no communication from the US government indicating that Tinubu would face arrest or restrictions during the General Assembly.

Ibrahim also cited the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement, which provides protections concerning the movement of representatives of UN member states attending official UN activities.

The Presidency has separately rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence from UNGA was connected to fears of arrest. Presidential aide Ademola Oshodi said there was no impediment preventing Tinubu from travelling to the United States and described suggestions otherwise as politically motivated.

The Federal Government has said Tinubu’s absence is linked to his working vacation and domestic priorities, while Shettima has been given the mandate to represent him at the gathering.

Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023 but did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025. Shettima represented him at those meetings and is doing so again at the 81st session.

The controversy over Tinubu’s absence has continued to generate political debate, with opposition figures and commentators offering different explanations for the President’s decision.

Okonkwo’s claim remains an allegation and has not been independently established by available evidence.