Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu faces legal restrictions in the United States, affirming full diplomatic immunity ahead of his participation in the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York. The clarification follows online speculation that the President would be unable to travel to the US due to decades-old allegations.
Ibrahim, a presidential envoy, said the claims were baseless and that President Tinubu enjoys full diplomatic immunity as a sitting head of state. He also noted that the President has travelled to the US previously without incident. The UN General Assembly is scheduled to open on September 8, with High-level Week running from September 22 to 28.
The winners: President Tinubu, who has been cleared to attend the UN; and the Nigerian government, which has defended its leader. The losers: those who spread the false claims; and the Nigerian public, who are exposed to misinformation.
Bottom Line: The President is free to travel to the US. The rumours are false. The question is whether the allegations will resurface or finally be put to rest.