Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France rather than being on the three-week annual vacation announced by the Presidency.
Sowore made the allegation in a post on X on Sunday while reacting to Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
“Tinubu is not on vacation; he is receiving treatment in France, and they will package him to return as though nothing happened,” Sowore alleged.
Sowore also claimed that Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA was linked to what he described as an alleged fear that the United States government could order his arrest over what he referred to as a past drug-related case.
He criticised the lack of detailed public information about the President’s activities in France and accused Nigerians and supporters of the administration of accepting the situation without sufficient scrutiny.
Sowore also compared the development with the handling of the overseas medical trips of former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, alleging that a similar pattern of secrecy and carefully managed public appearances was being repeated.
“There is something inherently wrong with Nigeria,” Sowore said.
However, Sowore’s claims about Tinubu receiving medical treatment in France have not been independently verified.
The Presidency has consistently described Tinubu’s trip as a three-week annual leave in Europe. The State House announced on August 30 that the President had departed Abuja for Europe, with London as his first destination.
The Presidency subsequently reported official engagements involving Tinubu in Paris. On September 18, the State House said the President met Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group to discuss investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
The State House also said French President Emmanuel Macron received Tinubu for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace on September 18.
Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA was confirmed on Sunday, with the President directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to New York. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the high-level General Debate.
A provisional UN programme had previously listed Tinubu as the 10th speaker during the morning session of the second day of the General Debate on September 23, before the change in Nigeria’s delegation was announced.
How did this story make you feel?
Join the conversation
Share a thoughtful response. Submissions may be reviewed before appearing.
