Popular Presidential Candidate Alleges Tinubu Receiving Treatment In France, Links UNGA Absence To ‘Fear’ Of Arrest In U.S.
Popular Presidential Candidate Alleges Tinubu Receiving Treatment In France, Links UNGA Absence To ‘Fear’ Of Arrest In U.S.
Sowore alleged that Tinubu’s absence from the UN gathering was connected to what he described as the President’s “mortal fear” that the United States government could order his arrest over what Sowore referred to as Tinubu’s “past drug-dealing case.”
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France rather than being on vacation as officially stated by the Presidency.
Sowore made the allegation in a post on X on Sunday while reacting to Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima had departed for New York to represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
Sowore alleged that Tinubu’s absence from the UN gathering was connected to what he described as the President’s “mortal fear” that the United States government could order his arrest over what Sowore referred to as Tinubu’s “past drug-dealing case.”
“There is something inherently wrong with Nigeria,” Sowore wrote.
There is something inherently wrong with Nigeria. To think that the Tinubu @officialABAT mummified showcasing and stunts in Paris just went like that, coupled with his inability to go to the UN General Assembly which I heard is because of his mortal fear that the US govt could order his arrest for his past drug-dealing case, is just surprising. Every sycophant is playing along, and society has acquiesced completely. Tinubu is not on vacation; he is receiving treatment in France, and they will package him to return as though nothing happened. We have seen this script before with Yar’Adua and Buhari: secrecy, deception, carefully managed appearances and a country expected to look away. Nigeria must be liberty only from these machinations but the mentality that sustains it. #RevolutionNow
— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) September 20, 2026
“To think that the Tinubu @officialABAT mummified showcasing and stunts in Paris just went like that, coupled with his inability to go to the UN General Assembly which I heard is because of his mortal fear that the US govt could order his arrest for his past drug-dealing case, is just surprising.”
Sowore also accused supporters of the administration of ignoring what he described as the circumstances surrounding Tinubu’s absence.
“Every sycophant is playing along, and society has acquiesced completely,” he said.
He further alleged that Tinubu was receiving medical treatment in France and would return to Nigeria with the trip presented as an ordinary vacation.
“Tinubu is not on vacation; he is receiving treatment in France, and they will package him to return as though nothing happened,” Sowore alleged.
BREAKING: Tinubu Won’t Attend 81st UN General Assembly In New York –Presidency Source
Sep 18, 2026
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He compared the situation to the secrecy surrounding the overseas medical trips of former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari.
“We have seen this script before with Yar’Adua and Buhari: secrecy, deception, carefully managed appearances and a country expected to look away,” he said.
Sowore concluded by calling for Nigerians to reject what he described as a political system built around secrecy and “machinations.”
The Presidency had earlier described Tinubu’s European trip as a three-week annual leave and a working vacation.
During the trip, Tinubu travelled to France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner and also held talks with businessman Vincent Bolloré in Paris. State House records described the engagements as part of the President’s working vacation.
Tinubu’s absence from the 81st UNGA was confirmed on Sunday when the Presidency announced that Shettima would represent him at the gathering. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week.
SaharaReporters had reported on Friday, citing a source close to the Presidency, that Tinubu would not attend the UNGA despite earlier indications that he was scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
The President attended the 78th UNGA in person in 2023, while Shettima represented him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025.
President Bola Tinubu has frequently travelled abroad to France, the United Kingdom, and the United States for medical checkups, surgeries, and rest.
Previous reports by SaharaReporters indicated Tinubu frequently visited the American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly-sur-Seine for routine checks and specialised care.
For instance, Tinubu travelled to France for medical attention or rest in January 2021, March 2023, following the presidential elections, and multiple working visits during his presidency that sources attributed to ongoing medical supervision.
While media reports and anonymous sources often link these French visits to health treatments, aides and government spokespersons frequently frame them as private rest breaks, transition planning sessions, or official working visits.
Tinubu spent several months in London in 2021 and 2022 for medical observation and recuperation. During his London medical stays prior to his presidency, prominent Nigerian politicians, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, publicly visited him.
In August 2021, Tinubu travelled to Maryland, USA, where he underwent knee surgery and subsequent post-surgical physiotherapy at Johns Hopkins University Hospital.
His frequent foreign medical trips have often sparked intense public debate and media speculation regarding his health and fitness for office.
Critics and civil society groups have repeatedly urged Nigerian leaders to improve domestic healthcare infrastructure rather than routinely seeking medical attention abroad.
