‘There is nothing wrong with me. I am healthy, ready to go.’
With those words, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday dismissed social media rumours about his health, attributing the speculation to politics.
Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria after an extended working leave in Europe, said he was healthy and ready to resume work.
He arrived in Lagos aboard Nigerian Air Force One, which landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 6:22 pm.
He was received by Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, other government officials and party leaders.
Supporters carrying banners praising the President and canvassing support for him drummed and danced outside the Presidential Wing.
Speaking to reporters, Tinubu said: ‘I’m ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong with my health. Rumours will always emanate from politics. But the fact remains that I’m here: healthy, sound and ready to go.’
Asked about his experience while away, he said: ‘I enjoyed myself.’
The President left Abuja on August 30 for what was initially announced as a three-week working vacation.
At the end of the three weeks, his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the President’s return date had been adjusted slightly.
On Sunday, Onanuga announced that Tinubu would return yesterday. The extension had fuelled speculation on social media, with opposition figures also commenting on the President’s absence.
One political party filed a suit to challenge the President’s extended working leave in court.
Tinubu spent one week in London and the remaining period in Paris, France.
While in Paris, he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
Last week, Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun Waterside and the establishment of a Blue Marine Economic Zone.
The project is expected to attract $7 billion in investment from DP World, a global ports and logistics company.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, speaking on television yesterday, said the volume of correspondence signed by the President and sent to the National Assembly during his leave showed that he remained engaged with official duties.
From 3pm, APC members dressed in customised party attire gathered around the Presidential Wing of the airport ahead of Tinubu’s arrival.
It was a carnival-like gathering, with itinerant drummers accompanying women and youths, including members of the City Boy Movement, who danced while displaying banners and posters.
Some of the banners read: ‘Welcome Mr President,’ ‘Thank You for State Police,’ ‘Thank You for Your Bold Reforms,’ and ‘We Thank You for Renewed Hope Agenda.’
Security operatives deployed around the airport ahead of the arrival had to clear the route for the presidential convoy, which eventually left the airport at about 6:30pm.
Tinubu to
honour Abiola
According to the Presidency, Tinubu returned to Lagos to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He is expected to attend the premiere of a movie celebrating Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, on Thursday, October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The President’s Independence Anniversary address will also be broadcast tomorrow.
Tinubu is also expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos over the next few days as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
Presidential Special Assistant on Social Media Dada Olusegun announced the President’s arrival on his verified X handle, @DOlusegun, at about 6:22 pm.
‘Landing. Welcome home Mr President!’ he wrote, alongside a video showing Tinubu being received by dignitaries at the airport.
The Presidency said Tinubu would return to Abuja after completing his engagements in Lagos.
Abbas: More activities ahead
Abbas said the President’s period of rest would prepare him for increased activities.
He said: ‘It is incredibly nice to have him after one month away, and we believe that the days he has spent resting will translate into more action this time around.
‘We believe that he will come with renewed vigour, a renewed hope, to continue serving the good people of Nigeria.’
Tinubu’s return comes as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the expanded Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) expected to begin full mobilisation.
The PCC, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has commenced consultations with traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the Oba of Lagos, the Oba of Benin and the Shehu of Borno.
Also at the airport were former Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa, Senator Idiat Adebule, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Secretary to the Lagos State Government Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, APC chieftain Bode Oyedele and other dignitaries.