Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s absence at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly, UNGA.
The ongoing 80th session of UNGA holding in New York, United States, started on September 9.
Omokri said those criticizing Tinubu over his absence in UNGA have minds that can be manipulated.
Posting on X with the tag: “Much Ado About President Tinubu Not Attending UNGA,” the sociopolitical critic said the event has little benefit to Nigeria’s economy.
He recalled the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who attended eight UNGA sessions but had nothing to show for it.
Omokri said Buhari attended every UNGA during his presidency, but his attendance did not benefit Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that under Buhari, Nigeria’s GDP declined significantly from $510 billion in 2014 to $187.76 billion in 2023.
Critics are challenged to identify any economic benefits from Buhari’s UNGA visits.
Omokri reminded critics that Tinubu attended the 78th UNGA in 2023 and faces no travel restrictions to the US, contrary to some allegations.
He said: “People criticising President Tinubu for not attending the United Nations General Assembly have pliable minds that are easily manipulated. General Buhari attended each UNGA for the eight years he was President. Of what benefit was his attendance to Nigeria?
“Under Buhari, Nigeria’s economy went from being the third fastest growing economy in the world, with a GDP of $510 billion in 2014, to one of the world’s most sluggish economies in 2023 when Buhari handed over to President Tinubu with a GDP of $187.76 billion.
“Can any of those criticising President Tinubu tell Nigerians precisely one economic benefit of General Buhari’s eight hugely expensive UNGA visits to the nation?
“President Bola Tinubu attended the 78th United Nations General Assembly in 2023. I attach his photograph at that UNGA here for those with short memories. He has absolutely no restrictions on his travels to the United States, as some critics mischievously allege.
“But the man is a Cum Laude (First Class) accountant who has done a Cost-Benefit Analysis on Nigeria’s UNGA attendance.
“A Presidential attendance at the UNGA can cost Nigeria as much as $10-20 million. Meanwhile, what are we getting out of it? If you do a Dollar Cost Averaging analysis of the costs and financial impact of a Presidential attendance at UNGA, it is a liability in accounting terms.”
UNGA: Those whose minds can be manipulated criticizing Tinubu’s absence in US – Omokri