SaharaReporters’ exclusive report on Thursday revealed former President Bola Tinubu’s unannounced trip to Paris, France, which sources confirmed was for medical treatment.
The Nigerian presidency’s silence regarding Tinubu’s unofficial trip has reignited debates surrounding concerns and the secrecy surrounding his health status.
SaharaReporters had on Thursday exclusively reported Tinubu’s unannounced trip to Paris, France in what multiple sources confirmed was for medical reasons.
“The President is in France to see his doctors,” a source had said.
An investigation by SaharaReporters had revealed that a Nigerian presidential aircraft, a Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) with registration number 5N-FGW and serial number 5310 (Mode-S 0640F2) with Tinubu onboard arrived at Paris Airport-Le Bourget, France around 04:00pm on Thursday from an airport in London.
The President on Tuesday morning left Saudi Arabia – where he attended the World Economic Forum – for London.
A statement issued last week by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said the special WEF meeting in Riyadh would end on Monday, April 29.
“After his engagements in the Netherlands, President Tinubu will proceed to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” the statement had read.
Meanwhile, in the statement, the Presidency carefully left out information about when Tinubu was expected back in Nigeria after the international forum or that he would visit the UK and France after leaving Saudi Arabia.
Also, the Presidency has been silent on President Tinubu’s whereabouts since the international summit ended on Monday, April 29.
Efforts to reach Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, for comments and clarification failed as he did not answer calls from SaharaReporters. He also did not reply to messages sent to his mobile phone.
However, SaharaReporters learnt that the 5N-FGW (Gulfstream Aerospace) which was operated as Nigerian Air Force 1 – meaning the President was on board – left Riyadh International Airport on Tuesday, April 30 at 12:05 am (02:05 am Saudi Arabian time) and arrived at Stansted Airport, London at 06:35 am, UK time.
The jet was used to replace the Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-700) 5N-FGT that is still in Germany for repairs.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have taken over the social media to demand the whereabouts of Tinubu who has not been seen in public since he met with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last Sunday, April 28.
The president who was supposed to make a public address to Nigerian civil servants on May 1 workers’ day was nowhere in sight.
Also, the President didn’t attend the last Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting.
Recently, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima has been attending and taking charge in so many occasions where Tinubu himself should have shown up.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have declared the President Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).
They wondered why Tinubu has refused to return to Nigeria after the WEF meeting ended in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Some of them who took to the social media platform, X (formerly Twitter) said:
Paul Ibe, @OfficialPaulIbe said, “The whereabouts of Nigerian president must never be a subject of speculation. If Tinubu is in France for medicals, as reported by @SaharaReporters, or elsewhere, Nigerians deserve to know. After all, he is our property and is spending state resources.”
DauDuSheshi, @MrGEO01 wrote, “The citizens must be allowed to know the status of their President and his medical conditions.
Every citizen is entitled to lead the Nation but it will be wrong for the President to be under serious medical need and keep that hidden from the citizens. We cant keep staying in dark.”
Abayomi, @thebearsze said, “The president has been AWOL for a week. LMAO. This is what you people fought for? What you destroyed friendships and community for?The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
CHIDYE, @gentlechidye wrote, “This is why there was no address on Workers Day!”
Rhatti Bwoy, @donballen wrote, “Who knew our president has been awol for a week lol.”
Eighth wonders of the world, @gabrielonyebu10 wrote, “”I built Lagos” don run go hide for France for medical reason. Them no dey build hospital for Lagos? Ndi mgbu”
