The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has refuted rumors that President‑elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was rushed abroad for medical treatment. Media reports have claimed the former Lagos governor fell ill and was flown to London, United Kingdom, late on Tuesday night. These allegations surfaced hours after Labour Party candidate Peter Obi filed a petition at the election tribunal challenging the outcome of Saturday’s presidential poll that produced the president‑elect.
This is not the first time Tinubu’s health has been the subject of speculation. A similar story appeared in August, shortly before the election campaign began. Responding to Wednesday’s reports, APC PCC Director of Media and Publicity Bayo Onanuga denied the allegation, stating that Tinubu was simply traveling abroad to rest. Onanuga added that the president‑elect intended to use the trip as an opportunity to perform Umrah after observing the annual Muslim fast. “Which Asiwaju is ill? Was he not seen when he went to cast his vote? Does he look like a sick man? The man just travelled on vacation. He went to take a rest. I think he wants to use the opportunity to observe Ramadan outside the country and move to Umrah from there before returning to Nigeria,” he said. “He has been on the move since last year and, sincerely, deserves all the rest he can get. His office will soon issue a statement.”
APC PCC chief spokesman Festus Keyamo echoed Onanuga’s position, noting that the rumors were being spread by those still nursing wounds after losing the election. “Please help us tell those flying the news around that the election has ended. What they are doing now is campaigning after the election. They should leave Asiwaju alone. He deserves some rest after the election,” Keyamo said. When asked which country Tinubu visited for his vacation, Keyamo said he could not confirm the destination at the time of reporting, but affirmed, “Asiwaju is hale and hearty.”
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