Tinubu Shelves UNGA Trip, Shettima To Lead Nigerian Delegation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly shelved plans to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, with Vice President Kashim Shettima expected to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

According to Ireporter Online, the reported change in the President’s itinerary emerged on Thursday amid concerns over a planned protest by some Nigerians in the United States.

Tinubu was initially expected to travel to New York from September 22 to 28, 2026, and address world leaders on September 23 during the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly.

However, a security source reportedly disclosed that intelligence regarding a planned demonstration against the President in New York may have influenced the decision to shelve the trip.

The planned protest was reportedly connected to renewed efforts in the United States to obtain records relating to allegations surrounding Tinubu’s activities in Chicago in the early 1990s.

The security source also alleged that opposition figures in Nigeria were involved in efforts to mobilise Nigerians in the United States for the demonstration.

Meanwhile, African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged Tinubu to focus on addressing issues arising from historical US records rather than attacking the lobbyist he engaged to represent his interests in Washington.

Atiku’s position followed comments by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, who criticised the former vice president’s engagement of the US lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York.

Dare had questioned claims about the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and his alleged access to US President Donald Trump or the administration, as well as his ability to influence ongoing legal proceedings.

Responding through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku maintained that the lobbying arrangement was publicly registered with the US Department of Justice and should not be portrayed as a secret effort to influence the US government.

He subsequently challenged Tinubu to provide explanations regarding historical US federal records and a reported $460,000 forfeiture involving an account allegedly linked to him.

Shaibu accused the Presidency of avoiding the substantive issues raised by the records by focusing instead on the background and activities of Atiku’s lobbyist.