…Tinubu dismisses health rumours, says “I’m sound, ready to kick”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday after concluding his working vacation abroad, with the Presidency explaining that the President chose Lagos as his first destination to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Tinubu, who departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, was received at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Also at the airport to receive the President were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin; and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier on Tuesday announced that Tinubu was departing Paris, France, for Nigeria.
Tinubu, who spent four weeks away from Nigeria, had spent about a week in London at the beginning of his vacation before proceeding to Paris.
His arrival in Lagos was also announced by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who posted on his X handle: “Landing. Welcome home Mr President!”
Speaking with journalists on arrival, Tinubu said he enjoyed his time outside the country during the working vacation while dismissing speculation about his health.
“There is nothing wrong. Well, rumors will always be emanating from politics. But the fact is that I am here: healthy, sound, ready to go.”
Explaining the decision to return through Lagos, Onanuga said: “the Nigerian leader chose to fly to Lagos first to honour the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, the martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.”
The President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 presidential election, on Independence Day at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held several official engagements, including a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.
He also met business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
On Monday, the President also met the Chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola.
Last week, Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun Waterside and the creation of a Blue Marine Economic Zone in the area.
DP World, a global ports and logistics operator, plans to invest $7 billion in the seaport and economic zone.
The President is expected to return to Abuja after completing his political engagements in Lagos.
