The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not on an official vacation in Europe but is instead receiving medical treatment in France. He also expressed concern regarding the President’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Sowore posted these accusations on his official X account on Sunday, September 20, 2026, while discussing Tinubu’s extended stay in France and the decision to have Vice President Kashim Shettima represent Nigeria at the UN event.
“There is something fundamentally wrong with Nigeria. It’s surprising that Tinubu’s mummified presence and staged appearances in Paris were dismissed, especially given his absence from the UN General Assembly, which I’ve heard is due to his fear of arrest by the US government related to his past drug dealings,” Sowore stated.
However, there has been no official verification that Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France. The Presidency has consistently characterized his trip as a mix of annual leave and a working vacation, with an announcement on August 30 indicating that he had left Abuja for a three-week holiday in Europe, starting in London.
During his time in Paris, the President has engaged in several meetings. The State House reported that he spoke with Vincent Bolloré about investment opportunities in Nigeria’s creative and digital sectors, and attended a private dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
The Presidency has confirmed that Tinubu will not be attending the 81st UN General Assembly in person, with Shettima tasked to lead Nigeria’s delegation at the high-level session commencing on September 22.
Despite the official narrative, Sowore challenges the explanation for Tinubu’s absence, insisting that the President is receiving treatment in France.
“Everyone is playing along, and society has accepted this completely. Tinubu is not on vacation; he is in France for treatment, and they will package his return as though nothing has happened,” he asserted.
Sowore highlighted that this situation mirrors similar controversies involving former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, urging Nigerians to demand greater transparency regarding the President’s activities.
The Presidency has not responded to Sowore’s medical treatment allegations. Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, reassured that the country will be well-represented at the General Assembly through Shettima and other senior officials.
Leave a Reply