Atiku accuses Tinubu of avoiding UNGA over feared US drug‑case scrutiny

Atiku Abubakar claims President Bola Tinubu is skipping the 2026 United Nations General Assembly for fear that his past US asset‑forfeiture case over alleged narcotics trafficking and money laundering will be revived. He cited Case No. 93 C 4483, in which the US government forfeited about $460,000 from accounts linked to Tinubu and associated companies. Tinubu has missed the UNGA in 2024, 2025 and now 2026, with Vice President Kashim Shettima set to lead Nigeria’s delegation this year.

The allegation raises questions about Tinubu’s credibility and could affect how Nigeria is perceived on the global stage, especially as the country seeks to attract investment and strengthen diplomatic ties. Atiku argues that if no legal, medical or personal barrier exists, the repeated avoidance suggests discomfort with scrutiny abroad, turning a personal history into a national diplomatic liability.

Readers should weigh the claims against the Presidency’s denial of any travel restriction and consider how leaders’ past legal entanglements may shape public trust. Given these allegations, should Nigerians demand greater transparency about Tinubu’s US legal record, or evaluate his performance based on current governance outcomes?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/20/unga-tinubu-afraid-of-becoming-next-nicolas-maduro-atiku/