The Presidency has debunked reports suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is battling health issues and may be flown abroad for urgent medical treatment.
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) had claimed, citing unnamed presidential sources, that the president had been bedridden for days and that arrangements were being made for his medical team to facilitate an overseas trip for care.
According to the outlet, Tinubu had not been seen in public for several days, with Vice President Kashim Shettima standing in for him at various high-profile events. The report also alleged that a number of engagements on the president’s schedule had been cancelled to allow doctors to monitor him more closely.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed the claims as unfounded. Speaking to ICIR, he said: “People just tell you all kinds of rumours that have no basis at all. The president was in his office yesterday (August 5). I went to see him. He came to work.”
In a separate conversation on Monday morning, Onanuga maintained that President Tinubu was in good health and fully capable of performing his duties. “There is nothing wrong with the president. He is okay. He can choose to work from home. He can choose to work from anywhere,” he said.
President Tinubu was last seen in public on Friday, August 1, at the opening of the Progressive Media Summit in Abuja, where he appeared energetic and delivered a speech encouraging young Nigerians in the digital media space to use their platforms for national development.
Days earlier, on July 29, he hosted the victorious Super Falcons after their WAFCON Championship win in Morocco, standing for an extended period to congratulate the players and announce monetary rewards for the team and coaches.
However, his absence at a reception for the equally triumphant D’Tigress basketball team on August 3, where Vice President Shettima represented him, fueled speculation about his health.
The ICIR report also claimed that some photographs released by the presidency last week were from earlier private meetings, including an image accompanying the August 6 announcement of free healthcare for low-income retirees and increased pensions.
The meeting with PenCom’s Director-General, Omolola Oloworaran, reportedly took place at the president’s private residence, not in his office.
The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting did not hold last week, with the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, initially stating it would take place on August 6. Onanuga later clarified the session was simply postponed at the president’s discretion.
A planned meeting with close associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari within the APC on Tuesday, August 5, was also cancelled.
When asked about the president’s absence from certain events, Onanuga said: “Why must he be at all functions? He has a deputy. He can delegate. Do you want him to be doing public parade or something?”
The presidency maintains that President Tinubu remains firmly in charge of state affairs and is “hale and hearty,” whether working from his office or another location.
