Tinubu’s Second ‘Medical’ Trip Raises Controversy

By James Orji

Former Lagos state governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has travelled to the United Kingdom, UK with controversy trailing him on whether his current trip is for medical reasons.

The development  comes after Joe Igbokwe, a former APC Publicity Secretary in Lagos state and close aide of the former governor said Tinubu is not too old to rule the country,  in response to critics who insist that young people must be allowed to take over the affairs of the country.

Igbokwe said, “When you get to the US, the number one democratic nation, you’ve seen Trump, you know his age, you’ve Joe Biden, you know his age. Age has nothing to do with it, it’s just a number.

“So, he (Tinubu) has the capacity, he is coming to the table with a lot of experience and you cannot ignore that. What we should do is to pray for him. I don’t think he is older than Biden, I don’t think he is older than the former President Trump.”

“He is 69, that’s his age. Even if he is 70, he is qualified, even if he is 80, he is qualified. So long as he is physically fit and he has the mental alertness to do the job”.

Lagos state governor,  Babajide Sanwo-Olu  also said on Friday that Tinubu is the best among aspirants positioning themselves to take over from President Buhari next year.

Last year Tinubu, the National Leader of the ruling APC who recently declared his interest to run for Nigeria president, spent three months in London taking care of an undisclosed  ailment. His critics insist that his health challenges could hamper his performance if he becomes president in 2023.

Incumbent President Muhammadu  Buhari spent most part of his first four years in office abroad taking care of his health. His absence had a serious toll on governance even though his vice Yemi Osinbajo acted as president.

Also Nigerians were not so lucky under former President  Umaru Yar’Adua  who died in office after battling with serious  ailments for the 30 months he was president.

Not a few Nigerians contend that Tinubu should concentrate on taking care of his health rather than throwing his hat into the ring to vie for the 2023 presidential  election, particularly  after suggestions that his current trip, the second in less than a year, is to see his doctors.

But speaking on Tinubu’s  trip to London on Friday, his spokesman Tunde Rahman denied that the APC chieftain travelled for medical reasons.

Rahman who confirmed that his principal had left the country said his reason was to consult with stakeholders abroad over his presidential  quest.

According  to Rahman, “Asiwaju’s trip to the UK (United Kingdom) is not to rest or because of any illness. While abroad, Asiwaju is maintaining a vigorous schedule of meetings and consultations on a range of important matters.

“Whether at home or abroad, the daily schedule of Asiwaju is vibrant and full. Most people couldn’t sustain his high level of activity. This speaks to his exceptional intellectual energy and his commitment to achievement.”

“Asiwaju will return to Nigeria next week once this set of meetings and talks abroad is completed”.