President Bola Tinubu brushed aside worries about his health on Tuesday, declaring he is “healthy, sound, and ready to go” after coming back to Nigeria from his extended working vacation in Europe.
Upon arriving in Lagos after his stay in France, where he had spent the later portion of his vacation, Tinubu addressed journalists.
When questioned about the concerns some Nigerians and his supporters had voiced regarding his health, Tinubu responded that nothing was wrong with him.
“Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong. Rumors will always come out of politics, but the facts remain: I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go,” the president stated.
He came back to the country after concluding his working vacation in the United Kingdom and France.
At 6.22 p.m., the President’s aircraft touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Those who received him included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari.
A cultural troupe was also present to welcome the president to Lagos upon his return from vacation.
The President’s arrival was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who posted on X, “Landing. Welcome home, Mr. President!”
A few minutes later, the presidential aide shared a video showing Tinubu being received at the airport by senior government officials and political leaders.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Lagos after his vacation in Europe,” he captioned the video.
Tinubu had left Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending a week in London before heading to Paris.
He came back to Nigeria after a four-week working vacation, thereby putting an end to the unease caused by his long absence without transferring power to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Earlier on Tuesday, a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced Tinubu’s departure from Paris for Lagos.
The Presidency explained that Tinubu chose to travel to Lagos first in order to honor the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
On October 1, Independence Day, the President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honoring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
While in Lagos, the president is likewise anticipated to participate in strategic discussions with political figures and allies.
The statement said, “While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections.”
While on his working vacation, the president shared a private dinner in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.
He held talks with business figures, among them Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital holdings encompass Canal+, MultiChoice, and Universal Music Group.
The President also observed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the building of a Gateway deep-seaport in Ogun Waterside and the establishment of a Blue Marine Economic Zone in that area.
DP World, which the presidency describes as one of the world’s foremost ports and logistics operators, intends to invest $7bn in the seaport and economic zone.
On Monday evening, the president held a meeting with the chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola.
