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.”
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