The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Osodi, has dismissed suggestions that the United States could arrest the Nigerian President, describing the claim as “pure nonsense” and politically motivated.
Osodi spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics while responding to questions surrounding Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency has confirmed that Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual UN gathering on behalf of Tinubu. The decision has generated political debate, particularly because it represents the President’s third consecutive absence from the high-level meeting.
Osodi, however, rejected suggestions that the President’s absence was connected to concerns about possible action against him by United States authorities.
According to the presidential aide, such claims were being promoted for political reasons, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
“There is absolutely no impediment. You know, for absolutely no reason, it is pure politics. This election season is a silly season of people saying things for electoral advantage. It is that simple,” Osodi said.
He argued that the United States would not arrest a sitting head of state, citing historical examples of foreign leaders who had travelled to or interacted with the United States despite having strained political relations with Washington.
Osodi mentioned former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini while making his argument.
He also said Tinubu had previously travelled to the United States on official engagements and that he had personally accompanied the President during some of those trips.
“I was with the President when he went to the United Nations, physically I was there,” Osodi said, adding that Tinubu had also travelled through the United States more recently while on an international trip.
He described suggestions that Tinubu was avoiding the United States as an “old chestnut” and maintained that the issue was being raised for political reasons.
The controversy followed the Presidency’s announcement that Shettima would represent Tinubu at the 81st UN General Assembly. The Presidency said Nigeria would nevertheless be fully represented at the international gathering.
Osodi argued that Tinubu’s absence would not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, stressing that the country maintained relationships with several regional and international organisations beyond the United Nations.
He said the President was focused on domestic matters, including the economy and security, while Nigeria would continue to participate actively in international engagements.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, is also expected to play a prominent role in representing the country at the global forum.
The President’s decision has nevertheless attracted criticism from opposition figures. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned why Tinubu would miss the UN General Assembly for a third consecutive year, arguing that presidential attendance provides opportunities for direct diplomatic engagement, bilateral meetings and international advocacy.
Osodi maintained that the President’s absence should not be interpreted as evidence of any difficulty with the United States.
The aide’s comments have added to the ongoing political debate over Tinubu’s international engagements as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
While Osodi dismissed the arrest claim, no evidence was presented during the interview establishing that such an arrest was imminent or planned. The issue therefore remains part of a wider political argument surrounding the President’s UNGA absence and Nigeria’s foreign relations.
