Nigeria’s president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, left the country again a few weeks before his inauguration as the country’s leader on Monday, May 29, 2023.
A source in the All Progressives Congress (APC) had told Sahara Reporters that:
“He is returning to France to see his doctors ahead of the stress of the inauguration period so he can prepare for his swearing-in.”
Tinubu’s media aides described the president-elect’s latest trip out of the country as a ‘working visit.’
Part of a statement sent to journalists by Tinubu’s media team read:
“He will use the opportunity of the trip to finetune the transition plans and programmes, and his policy options with some of his key aides without unnecessary pressures and distractions.
“During the visit, the president-elect will engage with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in the country and his administration’s readiness to enable a business-friendly climate through policies and regulations.
“Already, meetings with multi-sectoral actors in Europe’s business community, including manufacturing, agriculture, tech, and energy, have been lined up.”
The statement seems not to have impressed some Nigerians, who alleged that Tinubu is on another medical trip.
Dr Kelvin Alaneme wrote on Twitter:
“Keep lying through your teeth. We know you all foisted an ill man on the country. Someone who cannot go one month without running abroad for medical checkup. God will hear the plight of Nigerians and liberate us. BAT must return that stolen mandate.”
With triple laughing emojis, Ukam Henry wrote:
“To go and recharge his batteries.”
Nwoga Franklin wrote:
“He wants to go and recharge. Please stop misleading the masses.”
Timileyin Damilare wrote:
“Fine-tune transition plans and programme that cannot be “fine-tuned” in Nigeria but in Europe. It is well!!!”
Philips M Ndahi wrote:
“The Aso Rock Clinic should be top of his investors meet up. Let them come and take over that place so that our president can be receiving medical help at home.”
While Tinubu is on his way to France, President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the United Kingdom to meet with a dentist appointment.
Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said in a statement:
“The specialist requires to see the president in another five days for a procedure already commenced.”