A United States-based lobbying and political advisory firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has its “permission” to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, while dismissing claims that he would be arrested by US authorities.
The firm made the statement in a post on its verified X account on Sunday, September 20, amid renewed attention over Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA in person.
“We have given Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (@officialABAT) permission to attend this week’s @UN General Assembly,” the firm wrote.
“Any talk that he will be arrested by U.S. authorities is false. President Tinubu, you have our word.”
The post was accompanied by a statement from the firm in which it said it was making the position known “on behalf of the Managing Partner, Partners, and Associates of Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C.”
The firm’s latest statement comes after weeks of public discussion about whether Tinubu could face arrest if he travelled to New York for the UN gathering.
Earlier this month, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, also rejected suggestions that Tinubu could be arrested in the United States during the UNGA.
Ibrahim said the Nigerian Mission in New York had received no notification from the US government restricting Tinubu’s movement. He cited protections under the 1947 UN-US Headquarters Agreement for representatives of member states attending official UN activities.
The lobbying firm had itself previously addressed the arrest speculation. In a September 5 statement, it said there was “no plan to arrest Nigerian President Bola Tinubu” over allegations concerning his past if he attended the UNGA.
Tinubu will, however, not be attending this year’s General Assembly in person.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been mandated to represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level and bilateral meetings during the gathering.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”