A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Sowunmi has urged Nigerians to disregard rumours being peddled about the state of health of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sowunmi who is the convener of The Alternatives said this in reaction to concerns over President Tinubu’s health.
The concerns followed the president’s physical absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with Vice-President Kashim Shettima leading Nigeria’s delegation and delivering the country’s national statement.
Tinubu’s absence marked the third consecutive UN General Assembly he did not attend in person, having also been represented by Shettima at the 79th and 80th sessions.
The Presidency said the President was on annual leave, while officials subsequently described his absence as a working vacation.
Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after spending about four weeks abroad.
Upon his return, the President himself said he was healthy and ready to work, while describing concerns about his health as rumours associated with politics.
Speaking to journalists at Ojowo in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun East Senatorial District on Thursday, the convener affirmed that President is healthy and mentally sound.
He therefore called on Nigerians to disregard what he described as rumours surrounding the President’s health.
Sowunmi also noted that Tinubu had personally dismissed speculation about his wellbeing.
‘The President is in good health, the President is in sound mind,’ Sowunmi said, urging Nigerians not to focus on what he described as negative reports about the President.
The PDP chieftain also pointed to Tinubu’s appearance upon returning from his overseas trip as evidence, asking whether his physical demeanour suggested that he was unwell.
The Ogun politician also defended Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UNGA personally, arguing that Nigeria remained represented through the Vice-President.
He said the Vice-President’s presence at the global gathering was sufficient to represent the country and the President, noting that Shettima participated in high-level engagements and delivered Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency had similarly maintained that Tinubu’s absence did not diminish Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, stressing that Shettima carried the President’s mandate at the UNGA.
Sowunmi further argued that Tinubu’s presence was needed to pursue domestic economic priorities, rather than attending the UN gathering simply for ceremonial purposes.
He cited major investment opportunities involving Nigeria, including proposed investments in the gas sector and a deep-sea port project in Ogun State, as examples of economic engagements he said should receive the President’s attention.
Sowunmi while addressing his supporters, urge them all to give a massive vote to all APC candidates in Ogun East senatorial district most especially Prince Dapo Abiodun.