Claims Tinubu risks arrest in US are a hoax — Jimoh Ibrahim

By Lawrence Agbo

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu risks arrest if he travels to the United States, describing the speculation as “a hoax.”

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ibrahim said there is no legal basis for such claims, insisting that the President will attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) without any issues.

Reacting to concerns raised by critics over Tinubu’s planned participation at the UNGA, the ambassador said those predicting the President’s arrest were merely engaging in baseless speculation.

“You think people will arrest the President for coming to the United States? For what offence?” Ibrahim asked during the interview.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu would travel to the US, participate in the UN General Assembly and return to Nigeria safely.

“When he comes to UNGA and returns back safely to Nigeria, then they will appreciate the fact that this President is the President that should be respected,” he said.

Ibrahim disclosed that Tinubu has been allocated a front-row seat at the General Assembly, describing it as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing diplomatic standing.

“He will be on number three or number four seats there in the front row. We already arranged the seat arrangement in UNGA. Nothing anybody can do about that,” he said.

According to the envoy, Tinubu is also expected to present an important paper on global security and participate in discussions on ongoing United Nations reforms.

Ibrahim further called for greater confidence in Nigerian leadership, recalling how similar doubts were raised about his own appointment to the UN.

He noted that despite claims he would be unable to enter the United States, he was cleared by the UN, elected to a key position and now heads the organisation’s Budget and Administration Committee, which oversees an annual budget of about $18.5 billion.

“I studied at Harvard. People said I could not enter America. That was a hoax,” he said, urging Nigerians to stop undermining their own institutions and leaders.