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March 22, 2023
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement by his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman.
The ‘president-elect’, Bola Tinubu, says he has travelled to Paris, France and the United Kingdom to rest and plan the transition programme ahead of his inauguration on 29 May.
Tinubu disclosed this in a statement by his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman.
According to the statement, the president-elect will also observe the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia.
He was said to have departed Lagos on Tuesday night for Paris as reported by SaharaReporters.
“After a very exhaustive campaign and election season, President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has travelled abroad to rest and plan his transition programme ahead of May 29, 2023 inauguration.
“The President-elect left the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja for Europe on Tuesday night.
“The President-elect decided to take a break after the hectic campaign and election season to rest in Paris and London, preparatory to going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and the Ramadan Fasting that begins Thursday.”
“While away, the President-elect will also use the opportunity to plan his transition programme.
“He is expected back in the country soon.”
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how Tinubu travelled to Europe to seek medical care after falling ill.
EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian ‘President-Elect’ Tinubu Leaves For Europe For Medical Care After Falling Ill Over Election Buildup | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/YruvtAB16K pic.twitter.com/aK3vAXrwvY
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) March 22, 2023
It was gathered that the APC candidate fell ill after the “hectic” electioneering that led to his emergence as the 'President-elect' and the tension that built up ahead of the March 18 Lagos State governorship and House of Assembly elections where he also voted.
“Tinubu has left for Europe for medical care. He fell ill after voting on Saturday during the Lagos guber election. He was attended to by local doctors but he has left for Europe for proper medical care,” a source close to him had revealed.
“He initially said his doctors should be brought down to Nigeria for him, and that when things die down, he would leave. But I've confirmed that he left last night (Tuesday night) because he is definitely ill,” another source confirmed.
“His plane Falcon 9X with registration number VP-CBT can’t be tracked by air flight tracking websites."
SaharaReporters in February reported that a video went viral on social media showing Tinubu with suspected pee stains on his attire during a visit to the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Tinubu, who was seated on a black leather couch alongside some other party stalwarts had risen to give a speech but his attire had soaked from behind, particularly at the butt area.
The politician's security aide was seen constantly holding his nose while looking at the wet area and another woman immediately wore her face mask as the Asiwaju rose to speak.
This heightened concerns over Tinubu's health challenges ahead of the presidential election.
SaharaReporters had reported that Tinubu spent over four months patronising hospitals in France, the United States and the United Kingdom where he underwent several surgeries between 2020 and 2022.
He was flown out of the country some days before Christmas in 2020 to Paris, France.
The APC leader returned to Nigeria on January 24, 2021, after a month's absence from Nigeria.
He also went for a medical check-up on Thursday, June 10, 2021, to France and was conspicuously absent from a one-day working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos State.
Tinubu, amidst death rumours, was forced to return to the country on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
SaharaReporters also reported that Tinubu was hospitalised in Maryland, the United States in July 2021.
On August 9, the APC leader had another knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, the United States.
The APC chieftain, it was learnt, left the US for the United Kingdom on crutches, a few days after the surgery.
Sources close to Tinubu had told SaharaReporters that he wanted the surgery in Paris, France but changed his plan over rumours of his death.
In August, President Buhari paid a visit to Tinubu in London and the latter was seen with a walking stick during Buhari’s visit, confirming SaharaReporters’ story that he underwent a second surgery in the United States.
His London home also became a mecca of sorts as he was visited by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).
Upon his return in October, Tinubu confirmed that he underwent surgery on his right knee as well as post-surgery physiotherapy on the said knee during his medical trip abroad.
Some days ago, Tinubu returned to the country after going out of the country for medical attention in the United Kingdom for 10 days.