The ruling All Progressives Congress denied that President Bola Tinubu’s private visit to the UK from the Paris summit on Saturday was for his health.
The President returned to the country on Tuesday before Eid-el-Kabir.
According to his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy statement, Dele Alake, Tinubu went to London for a private visit instead of returning to Abuja.
The President held high-profile sideline meetings with fellow heads of state and government, global business leaders, and global multilateral and development finance institution CEOs.
However, his last-minute private visit caused social media trolls and critics to suggest that the former Lagos governor used the trip to visit his doctors.
APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim denied the claim in an exclusive phone call with our correspondent.
Ibrahim stated that such unfounded fear was uncalled for and that Tinubu had shown through his rigorous electioneering campaign and post-inauguration activities that he was fully prepared.
Why do people assume the President went for treatment every time he travels? These predictions have yet to materialise. The President escaped all their predictions. Why can’t they drop the “man is sick” mentality? Non-doctors make these ridiculous claims. Even mechanics. Healthy people? Even observe nature. Three speculators died while the man moved. Therefore, stop challenging God. Nobody is 100% healthy, and the man himself has said he is running for President, not the kickboxer of Nigeria. He’s doing his constitutional duty. We witnessed his inauguration podium time. He saluted, swore allegiance, and inspected the honour guard. He suggested leniency.
Dr. Ene Ogbole, a former All Progressives Congress Campaign Council coordinator, voiced the same concern.
Ogbole dismissed the President’s alleged ill-health and said she wasn’t surprised Tinubu was criticised and rumoured.
“That rumour is old. According to rumours and fabrications, the President should be dead. Because of numerous insinuations, rumours, and lies. He did his duty. His constitutional duty is international relations.
It’s a global village. Things interconnect. Economic, political, climate and other factors connect people. As we saw, he went for his assignment and will return.
Any man can get sick. I have leg arthritis, as I speak. I walk poorly. I’m over 40. Arthritis, dislocation, and fracture are affecting younger people. Anything can happen. Humans, not machines. Machines break. Why not send him to the hospital? Not so. “He went for a meeting and will return to move Nigeria forward,” she said.
Her defence came as many of the President’s campaign foot soldiers and former spokespersons are avoiding media attention to avoid jeopardising their chances of joining his cabinet, ministerial list, boards of ministries, departments, and agencies.
The former campaign director added that Tinubu had committed to righting past wrongs since taking office.
