President Bola Tinubu has dismissed health rumours surrounding his extended stay abroad, declaring that he is “healthy, sound, and ready to go” after returning to Nigeria from his working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu spoke to journalists on Tuesday shortly after arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Paris, where he had spent the latter part of his trip.
Asked about concerns over his health, the President said there was nothing wrong with him.
“Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong,” Tinubu said.
He added, “Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go.”
The remarks came after weeks of public discussion about the President’s prolonged absence from Nigeria.
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency described as a three-week working vacation. He initially travelled to London before proceeding to Paris.
The Presidency later extended the trip by several days, saying Tinubu remained engaged with government affairs while abroad.
On September 28, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President was “hale and hearty” and would return during the week.
Tinubu eventually departed Paris for Lagos on Tuesday.
His return also came amid a fresh legal challenge by the African Action Congress over the circumstances of his extended absence.
The opposition party filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that Tinubu failed to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly before leaving Nigeria and subsequently extending his stay abroad.
The allegations are before the court and have not been judicially determined.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu was on a working vacation and continued to perform his official duties from abroad.
His return to Lagos is expected to be followed by a series of political and official engagements.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu will hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
The President is also scheduled to participate in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose to return through Lagos partly to honour the memory of the late MKO Abiola, the June 12, 1993 presidential election winner and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic history.
He is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, on October 1.
Tinubu’s European trip also featured diplomatic and business engagements, including a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and meetings with business leaders.
He also witnessed the signing of an agreement involving the Ogun State Government and DP World concerning a proposed deep seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside.
With the President now back in Nigeria, attention shifts to his domestic schedule, the Independence Day programme and the political consultations expected to take place in Lagos.
