Following confirmation of his absence from the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday questioned whether President Bola Tinubu might be afraid of becoming the next Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela under US President Donald Trump.
Maduro, who served as Venezuela’s president from 2013, was captured by the United States in January 2026 and is facing drug-trafficking charges in the US.
However, Atiku said the President’s persistent absence from the US inevitably raises questions.
Atiku stated this in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The statement reads: “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 these questions were legitimate because of Case No. 93 C 4483 before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in which the United States government instituted forfeiture proceedings concerning funds held in multiple accounts in the name of Bola Tinubu and associated companies.
He noted that the verified complaint was brought under federal laws governing the forfeiture of assets that were connected to narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
Atiku added: “The complaint stated that the funds represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
“A supporting sworn affidavit by an Internal Revenue Service criminal-investigation agent similarly stated that funds in accounts controlled by Bola Tinubu were connected to drug-trafficking proceeds.
“The proceedings eventually resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $460,000 to the United States government.
“Nigerians are therefore entitled to ask whether Tinubu’s three consecutive UNGA absences have anything to do with this documented American history.”
Atiku also questioned why Tinubu has repeatedly avoided UNGA since 2024.
He further stated: “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?”
Recent reports confirm that Tinubu will not attend the 81st UNGA in 2026, with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation. Atiku has also previously criticised Tinubu over his absences from the 2024 and 2025 UNGA sessions.
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