The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed rumors that President Bola Tinubu’s recent private visit to the United Kingdom was for medical treatment. The clarification comes as President Tinubu returned to Nigeria ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir festival following his participation in the Paris summit.
According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake, President Tinubu’s visit to London was a short private visit after his engagement at the event. During his time abroad, he had high-profile meetings with heads of state and government, global business leaders, and executives of multilateral and development finance institutions.
However, the private visit sparked speculations on social media, with critics suggesting that the trip was a cover-up for seeking medical treatment. In response, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, refuted the claims in an exclusive phone conversation with a correspondent. Ibrahim emphasized that President Tinubu had demonstrated his preparedness and stamina throughout his election campaign and post-inauguration activities.
Ibrahim urged people to refrain from baseless fears and highlighted that previous speculations about the president’s health had never materialized. He questioned the credibility of those making such claims, stating that they were not medical professionals and that even healthy individuals faced health challenges. He urged people to show understanding and acknowledged the president’s commitment to his constitutional duties.
Dr. Ene Ogbole, a former coordinator in the dissolved All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, echoed similar sentiments in a separate interview. She dismissed the rumors about President Tinubu’s health, stating that they were not new and that countless unfounded speculations had arisen in the past. She emphasized that the president’s visit was for official duty and stressed that anyone could fall ill, including younger individuals.
As President Tinubu’s former campaign foot soldiers and spokespersons aim to avoid media attention to enhance their chances of securing positions in his cabinet or government agencies, Ogbole maintained that since assuming office, Tinubu had displayed sincerity in rectifying past wrongs.
The APC’s response seeks to dispel concerns surrounding President Tinubu’s health and reaffirm his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities as the president of Nigeria.
