The African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has made a claim that President Bola Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France. This contradicts the official statement from the Presidency that Tinubu is on an annual leave and working vacation in Europe. Sowore made this allegation in response to Tinubu's decision to miss the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency had announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu at the UNGA and lead Nigeria's delegation during the high-level meetings. The 81st session opened on September 8, and the general debate is scheduled to begin on September 22. Tinubu had departed Abuja on August 30 for a three-week annual leave in Europe, with London as his first destination.
Sowore disputed the official explanation, alleging that Tinubu's absence from the UN gathering was linked to concerns about possible legal action against him in the United States. He claimed that Tinubu's decision not to attend the gathering was connected to his fear of being arrested over a past drug-dealing case. Sowore also alleged that Tinubu was undergoing medical treatment in France and would return to Nigeria with the trip presented as a routine vacation.
The AAC candidate further criticized supporters of the administration for their silence over Tinubu's absence. He compared the situation to the secrecy surrounding the overseas medical trips of former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Muhammadu Buhari. Sowore called on Nigerians to reject a system built around secrecy and political "machinations."
Tinubu's absence from the 81st UNGA was confirmed on Sunday with the announcement that Shettima would represent Nigeria. The Vice President is expected to participate in high-level meetings and other diplomatic engagements during the UNGA week. Tinubu attended the UN General Assembly in person in 2023, while Shettima represented him at the 2024 and 2025 sessions.
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has also demanded an explanation from President Tinubu over his decision to stay away from the 81st UNGA. Atiku questioned whether Tinubu's past legal controversy in the United States was influencing the President's participation in Nigeria's diplomatic engagements.
Atiku argued that the Vice President's participation could not permanently substitute for the President's personal presence at one of the world's most significant diplomatic gatherings. He stressed that world leaders use the annual UNGA event for bilateral meetings, investment discussions, trade negotiations, and engagements on development financing.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu is alleged to be receiving medical treatment in France, contrary to the official statement that he is on annual leave and working vacation in Europe.
- Tinubu's absence from the 81st UNGA has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether his past legal controversy in the United States is influencing his participation in Nigeria's diplomatic engagements.
- Atiku Abubakar has demanded an explanation from President Tinubu over his decision to stay away from the 81st UNGA, stressing the importance of the President's personal presence at the diplomatic gathering.
