Presidency Dismisses Rumours Of President Tinubu’s Illness

The Presidency on Monday dismissed speculation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ill.

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) had claimed, citing unnamed sources, that the president’s medical team was preparing to fly him abroad for urgent treatment. According to the report, Tinubu had allegedly been bedridden for several days, missing key state functions, with Vice President Kashim Shettima standing in for him at official engagements.

The medium also alleged that several of the president’s scheduled activities had been cancelled since the beginning of the week, and that the rest of his weekly agenda had been cleared so his medical team could closely monitor his condition.

Reacting to the claims, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told ICIR that the speculation was baseless. “People just tell you all kinds of rumours that have no basis at all,” he said. “He was in his office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. I went to see him. He came to work.”

Speaking to Daily Trust later that night, Onanuga reiterated that there was no cause for concern. “There is nothing wrong with the president, he is okay. He can choose to work from home. He can choose to work from anywhere. I tell you nothing is wrong with the president,” he said.