Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unwell and managing health challenges, raising fresh debate over the president’s frequent trips abroad. Sowore also made strong claims about the health of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saying he is seriously ill.
Sowore made the comments on Sunday while reacting to President Tinubu’s sudden departure from Nigeria to Europe. The president had been in Lagos State for the Christmas and New Year holidays before leaving the country.
According to Sowore, Tinubu’s trip was linked to health reasons rather than official duties. In a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Sowore wrote that the president is “unwell” and only “managing himself.” He questioned why Nigeria continues to be governed by leaders who, in his view, are battling serious health issues.
“Nigeria’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unwell just managing himself, reason he’s abruptly flown to ‘Europe’ today,” Sowore wrote. He also claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is “practically dying.” Sowore added, “Why is Nigeria governed by sick people? And whereas nothing is wrong with illnesses, it is callous to use a country as health insurance for sick leaders.”
Sowore’s comments quickly spread online and sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some social media users agreed with his concerns and called for more transparency about the health of public officials, others criticised him for making such claims without official medical proof.
The Presidency, however, has not confirmed any health issues concerning President Tinubu. Instead, it explained that the president’s trip abroad includes official engagements.
In a statement issued by Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the president travelled to Europe and is also scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. According to the statement, Tinubu will take part in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit.
Onanuga said the president was invited to the event by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The summit is an international gathering that focuses on climate action, energy transition, and sustainable development.
The statement did not mention any medical treatment or health-related reasons for the trip, which is consistent with the Presidency’s usual approach when questions are raised about the president’s health.
President Tinubu, 72, has faced repeated public scrutiny over his health, especially since assuming office in May 2023. During his election campaign and after his inauguration, there were frequent discussions about his fitness for office. These concerns were largely driven by his past medical history and his tendency to travel abroad, particularly to Europe, for extended stays.
Supporters of the president have often dismissed these concerns, saying Tinubu is capable of performing his duties and that travel is a normal part of a president’s work. They argue that attending international meetings and engaging with global leaders is important for Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests.
Critics, however, believe that Nigerian leaders rely too much on foreign medical care while the country’s health system remains weak. They argue that public officials should use local hospitals and invest in improving healthcare services for ordinary Nigerians.
This debate is not new in Nigeria. Past leaders, including former presidents, have also faced criticism for seeking medical treatment abroad while public hospitals at home struggle with poor funding, lack of equipment, and shortage of skilled personnel.
Sowore’s reference to Senate President Godswill Akpabio also added another layer to the controversy. Akpabio, who became Senate President in June 2023, has not publicly addressed the claim about his health. There has been no official statement from the National Assembly confirming or denying Sowore’s allegation.
While there is no law in Nigeria that forces public officials to disclose full details of their health, many civil society groups have called for greater openness, especially when health issues could affect governance.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), is known for his outspoken criticism of government leaders. He has repeatedly challenged Nigeria’s political elite on issues of corruption, governance, and accountability.
As discussions continue, Nigerians are left weighing Sowore’s claims against official statements from the Presidency. For now, the government maintains that President Tinubu’s trip is part of his official schedule, while critics continue to demand more transparency about the health of those in power.
