Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri,has defended President Bola Tinubu’s absence at the 2025 United Nations GeneralAssembly, UNGA. The ongoing 80th session of UNGA holding in New York, UnitedStates, started on September 9. Omokri said those criticizing Tinubu over his absence inUNGA have minds that can be manipulated. Posting on X with the tag: “Much Ado About President TinubuNot Attending UNGA,” the sociopolitical critic said the event has littlebenefit to Nigeria’s economy. He recalled the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, whoattended eight UNGA sessions but had nothing to show for it. Omokri said Buhari attended every UNGA during hispresidency, but his attendance did not benefit Nigeria’s economy. He noted that under Buhari, Nigeria’s GDP declinedsignificantly from $510 billion in 2014 to $187.76 billion in 2023. Critics are challenged to identify any economic benefitsfrom Buhari’s UNGA visits. Omokri reminded critics that Tinubu attended the 78th UNGAin 2023 and faces no travel restrictions to the US, contrary to someallegations. He said: “People criticising President Tinubu for notattending the United Nations General Assembly have pliable minds that areeasily manipulated. General Buhari attended each UNGA for the eight years hewas President. Of what benefit was his attendance to Nigeria? “Under Buhari, Nigeria’s economy went from being the thirdfastest growing economy in the world, with a GDP of $510 billion in 2014, toone of the world’s most sluggish economies in 2023 when Buhari handed over toPresident Tinubu with a GDP of $187.76 billion. “Can any of those criticising President Tinubu tellNigerians precisely one economic benefit of General Buhari’s eight hugelyexpensive UNGA visits to the nation? “President Bola Tinubu attended the 78th United NationsGeneral Assembly in 2023. I attach his photograph at that UNGA here for thosewith short memories. He has absolutely no restrictions on his travels to theUnited States, as some critics mischievously allege. “But the man is a Cum Laude (First Class) accountant who hasdone a Cost-Benefit Analysis on Nigeria’s UNGA attendance. “A Presidential attendance at the UNGA can cost Nigeria asmuch as $10-20 million. Meanwhile, what are we getting out of it? If you do aDollar Cost Averaging analysis of the costs and financial impact of aPresidential attendance at UNGA, it is a liability in accounting terms.”
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