Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is staying away from the United States because of renewed attention surrounding historical U.S. records relating to him.
Okonkwo made the allegation while commenting on Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Nigeria.
The allegation has added a fresh political dimension to the debate over Tinubu’s absence from the annual gathering, coming weeks after a U.S. court case involving requests for records relating to the Nigerian president drew renewed attention.
Okonkwo, speaking on Arise News, alleged that Tinubu was avoiding the United States because he feared possible arrest.
However, the Presidency has rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence is connected to any U.S. travel restriction or criminal case. It has described the ongoing litigation involving U.S. records as a civil Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dispute.
What Kenneth Okonkwo Said About Tinubu’s Absence
Okonkwo questioned why Tinubu was not personally attending the UN General Assembly and argued that the President’s absence from the event for three consecutive years required an explanation.
He linked the issue to the ongoing dispute over access to historical U.S. records concerning Tinubu.
According to Okonkwo, the President was “hiding” from the United States and feared being arrested by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Those statements are allegations made by an opposition campaign spokesperson and have not been established as the reason for Tinubu’s absence.
The current evidence shows that Tinubu has been away from Nigeria on a working vacation in Europe, while Shettima travelled to New York to represent him at the UNGA.
Why Tinubu Is Not Attending the 81st UNGA
The Presidency has said Tinubu’s absence is connected to his extended working vacation and that he delegated Shettima to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a working vacation in Europe. The Presidency later announced that he would extend the vacation by several days and return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Shettima subsequently travelled to New York to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA and deliver the country’s national statement.
The Federal Government has maintained that Nigeria is fully represented at the high-level UN gathering despite the President’s absence.
What Is the U.S. Court Case About?
The U.S. legal matter referenced by Okonkwo concerns requests for access to records held by American government agencies.
According to the Presidency, the case originated from Freedom of Information Act requests submitted in 2022 by Aaron Greenspan seeking records relating to Tinubu from several U.S. government agencies.
The resulting litigation is before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The Presidency has stressed that the proceeding is a civil records-disclosure case, rather than a criminal prosecution of Tinubu. It has also said that no U.S. court has found the President guilty of criminal wrongdoing in the matter.
That distinction is important because the existence of a FOIA case seeking government records does not, by itself, establish criminal liability.
What About the $460,000 Forfeiture?
The controversy also involves a historical civil forfeiture involving approximately $460,000 that was surrendered to the U.S. government in 1993.
The Presidency has acknowledged the historical forfeiture while disputing interpretations that turn it into evidence of a current criminal case against Tinubu.
In its September statement, the Presidency said the current FOIA litigation should be distinguished from the historical forfeiture and from claims about criminal guilt.
Okonkwo has nevertheless argued that the historical matter is relevant to questions about Tinubu’s decision not to travel to the United States.
That connection is a political allegation, not a finding by the U.S. court that Tinubu is avoiding the country because he faces arrest.
Presidency Rejects Claims of US Travel Restriction
The Presidency has rejected suggestions that Tinubu is unable to travel to the United States.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the FOIA proceedings do not constitute a criminal charge, trial or judicial finding against the President.
The government has also maintained that Tinubu has continued to perform his presidential duties while abroad and that his absence from the UNGA does not mean Nigeria is without representation.
The disagreement therefore comes down to two competing explanations.
Okonkwo and other opposition figures have questioned whether the U.S. records controversy is connected to Tinubu’s absence.
The Presidency says the explanation is his working vacation and that there is no U.S. restriction preventing him from travelling.
Tinubu’s Absence From UNGA Has Become a Political Issue
Tinubu’s absence has attracted political criticism beyond Okonkwo’s comments.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also questioned the President’s repeated absence from the UN General Assembly, although reporting on his comments indicates that Atiku did not claim Tinubu was legally barred from entering the United States.
The Presidency has described such suggestions as unfounded and said Shettima is representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The issue has consequently become part of the wider political contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition figures using the President’s absence to question his administration while the government has defended its decision.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is likely to remain on the U.S. FOIA litigation and whether additional records are released or remain protected under American law.
The Presidency has maintained that the court proceedings concern access to government records and should not be confused with a criminal prosecution.
At the same time, opposition figures are likely to continue raising questions about the President’s U.S. history and his decision not to attend the UNGA personally.
Unless new evidence establishes a connection between the FOIA proceedings and Tinubu’s travel decisions, claims that he is avoiding the United States because he fears arrest remain allegations rather than established facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kenneth Okonkwo questioning Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA?
Okonkwo has questioned why Tinubu has not personally attended the UN General Assembly and has linked the absence to the renewed controversy surrounding U.S. records relating to the President.
Is Tinubu facing a criminal case in the United States?
The Presidency says no. It describes the ongoing U.S. litigation as a civil Freedom of Information Act records-disclosure dispute and says no court has found Tinubu guilty of criminal wrongdoing in the case.
What is the $460,000 Tinubu controversy?
The amount relates to a 1993 U.S. civil forfeiture involving funds that were surrendered to the U.S. government. The issue has resurfaced alongside litigation seeking access to historical U.S. government records concerning Tinubu.
Who is representing Nigeria at the 2026 UN General Assembly?
Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation and is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly.
Why is Tinubu not attending the 81st UNGA?
The Presidency says Tinubu is on an extended working vacation and delegated Shettima to represent him at the UNGA. Political opponents, including Kenneth Okonkwo, have questioned whether other factors are involved.
