‘TINUBU UNDERGOING TREATMENT IN FRANCE’ — SOWORE

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France, disputing the Presidency’s position that the President has been on a working vacation in Europe.

Sowore made the claim during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Monday while discussing Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad and his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

When asked to provide evidence for the claim that the President was hospitalised, Sowore said his information came from sources he considered reliable. However, he acknowledged that he did not know the nature of the alleged medical condition.

Sowore also alleged that Tinubu’s occasional public appearances were intended to give the impression that he was carrying out his normal duties. He maintained that the President was not simply on vacation but was receiving treatment in France.

The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu travelled to Europe on August 30 for a working vacation as part of his annual leave. It said he first travelled to London before proceeding to Paris, where he held engagements, including a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Presidency also announced on September 21 that Tinubu’s working vacation had been extended by a few days, with his return expected at the weekend. However, by September 28, the President had not returned, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga subsequently saying he would return during the week.

There has been no publicly verifiable medical evidence establishing Sowore’s allegation that Tinubu is undergoing treatment in France. The claim remains disputed, while the Presidency continues to describe the President’s stay abroad as a working vacation.