UNGA: Tinubu afraid of becoming next Nicolas Maduro – Atiku
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to skip the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, asking whether he is afraid of becoming the next Nicolás Maduro under US President Donald Trump.
Maduro, who had served as Venezuela’s president since 2013, was captured by the United States in January 2026 and is facing drug-trafficking charges in the US.
Atiku, however, said Tinubu’s continued absence from the United States for the annual UN gathering had raised questions about the reasons behind the decision.
He made the remarks in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The statement read in part: “Is Tinubu afraid that he could become Donald Trump’s next Nicolás Maduro?
“Is he haunted by the controversies surrounding his American academic claims and his documented drug-related forfeiture history?
“Is this the kind of President Nigeria deserves, one who projects bravado at home but appears terrified of scrutiny abroad?”
Atiku said the questions were legitimate, citing Case No. 93 C 4483 before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in which the US government instituted forfeiture proceedings involving funds held in multiple accounts in the name of Tinubu and associated companies.
He said the verified complaint was brought under federal laws governing the forfeiture of assets allegedly connected to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
Atiku added that the complaint alleged that the funds represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
He also cited a supporting sworn affidavit by an Internal Revenue Service criminal-investigation agent, which, according to him, stated that funds in accounts controlled by Tinubu were connected to drug-trafficking proceeds.
He said the proceedings eventually resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $460,000 to the US government.
Atiku said, “Nigerians are therefore entitled to ask whether Tinubu’s three consecutive UNGA absences have anything to do with this documented American history.”
The ADC candidate also questioned why Tinubu had repeatedly stayed away from the UNGA since 2024.
“We are not asserting that Tinubu is legally prohibited from entering the United States. The Presidency has announced no such restriction.
“But if no legal, diplomatic, medical or personal impediment exists, why has Tinubu repeatedly avoided the UNGA since 2024?
“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?” he asked.
Tinubu will not attend the 81st UNGA in 2026, with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation.
Atiku had previously criticised Tinubu over his absence from the 2024 and 2025 UNGA sessions.