WorldStage— Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu faces potential arrest or movement restrictions by United States authorities if he travels to New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Speaking amid renewed opposition-led discussions regarding allegations from the President’s past, Ambassador Ibrahim described the rumors as a hoax and an exercise in futility.
He clarified that the Nigerian Mission to the UN has received no communication from the US government indicating any planned restrictions or legal actions against the Nigerian leader.
The envoy, who also serves as the Chairman of the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, explained that international law firmly protects heads of state.
He cited Section 11 of the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement, which guarantees unimpeded transit to and from the UN headquarters district for representatives of member states and their families.
According to Ibrahim, this diplomatic framework ensures that President Tinubu and his delegation enjoy absolute immunity from detention during the high-level global summit.
“Social media cannot criminalise or arrest President Bola Tinubu, no matter how much the opposition invested in it,” Ibrahim stated in an official release.
He added that prosecuting sensitive criminal matters without securing a conviction carries heavy legal consequences, including the liability of paying substantial compensation.
Ibrahim also clarified the institutional nature of the summit, noting that the UN invites member nations rather than leaders in their personal capacities.
He noted that over 60 per cent of the UNGA speaking list consists of vice presidents and foreign ministers, meaning that a president’s attendance is dictated by national priorities, and representation can be delegated if necessary.
According to repoorts, the upcoming UNGA session will provide an opportunity for the Nigerian administration to showcase its ongoing economic reforms to a global audience.
Nigeria also plans to leverage the summit to gather international backing for a comprehensive regional border-policing strategy in West Africa.
While speculation persists about a potential sideline meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ambassador Ibrahim maintained that the primary focus remains advancing Nigeria’s strategic interests on the global stage.
