Sowore Alleges Tinubu Is Receiving Medical Treatment in France as Presidency Maintains He Is on Working Vacation

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France, contradicting the Presidency’s position that the President remains abroad on a working vacation.

Sowore made the allegation during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday while discussing Tinubu’s extended stay outside Nigeria and his decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

However, Sowore did not provide publicly verifiable medical evidence to establish that Tinubu is hospitalised or receiving treatment. His claim was based on information he said he obtained from sources he considers reliable.

Sowore Says Sources Told Him Tinubu Is Receiving Treatment

During the interview, Sowore was asked to provide evidence for his claim that Tinubu was currently hospitalised.

He said the information was based on what he had independently found out and conversations with sources, rather than simply something he had been told.

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Sowore said he had spent the previous two weeks in the United States and had been following developments surrounding the United Nations General Assembly. He added that he had spoken with people about the President’s whereabouts.

According to Sowore, some of the sources he considered reliable told him that Tinubu had been undergoing treatment.

He acknowledged, however, that he did not know the nature of any alleged medical condition.

“I don’t know what ailment it is because we don’t have those details,” Sowore said, according to the report of the interview. He also claimed that the President had not been discharged from a hospital.

Sowore further alleged that Tinubu’s occasional public engagements while abroad were intended to give Nigerians the impression that he was continuing his normal presidential duties.

Those claims remain allegations and have not been independently verified.

Presidency Says Tinubu Is Hale and Hearty

The Presidency has rejected concerns about Tinubu’s health and continues to describe his absence from Nigeria as a working vacation.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said on Sunday that Tinubu was “hale and hearty” and was expected to return to Nigeria during the week. Onanuga also said the President had continued carrying out official responsibilities while abroad. 

The Presidency has pointed to Tinubu’s meetings and engagements in France as evidence that he has remained active in government affairs.

On September 21, the State House announced that Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days. According to the statement, he had left Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Presidency also said Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing government affairs while outside the country.

Onanuga subsequently reiterated that the President was working from abroad and said Tinubu would return to Nigeria to participate in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. 

Why Tinubu’s UNGA Absence Has Drawn Attention

The controversy over the President’s health comes against the backdrop of his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the gathering after Tinubu delegated him to lead the Nigerian delegation. The Federal Government said Shettima was carrying the President’s mandate and would deliver Nigeria’s national statement while participating in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements. 

The government has maintained that Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA does not mean Nigeria is unrepresented at the international gathering.

The President’s decision not to attend personally has nevertheless generated political criticism and public discussion, particularly because his overseas stay has lasted longer than originally announced.

Tinubu’s Extended Stay Abroad

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially announced as a three-week working vacation.

He first travelled to London and subsequently moved to Paris. The Presidency later announced that the trip had been extended by several days, saying the President would return to Nigeria at the weekend. 

As the stay continued beyond the originally announced period, questions intensified over the President’s whereabouts and health.

The Presidency has consistently rejected suggestions that Tinubu’s absence is connected to an undisclosed health crisis. Onanuga said the President could continue performing his duties while outside Abuja, particularly with modern communications allowing him to remain in contact with government officials. 

What Is Confirmed — and What Is Not

At this stage, there are two sharply contrasting positions.

What is confirmed: Tinubu has been outside Nigeria since August 30, travelling through London before proceeding to Paris. The Presidency has confirmed that his working vacation was extended and that he did not personally attend the 81st UN General Assembly. Vice President Shettima represented Nigeria at the gathering. 

What Sowore alleges: Sowore says sources told him Tinubu has been receiving medical treatment in France and remains in hospital.

What has not been independently established: There is no publicly available medical evidence in the reporting reviewed that confirms Tinubu is hospitalised, the nature of any alleged illness, or that his extended stay in France is for medical treatment.

The Presidency’s position: Government spokesman Bayo Onanuga says Tinubu is “hale and hearty,” continues to work while abroad and is expected back in Nigeria this week. 

The difference between the two accounts is therefore significant: Sowore’s statement is an allegation based on information he says came from sources, while the Presidency has publicly disputed concerns about the President’s health.

As of the latest available reports, there has been no independent confirmation establishing Sowore’s hospitalisation claim.

The development is likely to keep attention focused on Tinubu’s whereabouts, the transparency surrounding presidential travel and the circumstances of his prolonged stay in France.