Tinubu Receiving Treatment In France, Sowore Claims

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has claimed that Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France.

In a post shared on Sunday, Sowore alleged that the President’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) stems from concerns about his past legal proceedings in the United States.

His claims come shortly after the Presidency announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York.

According to Sowore, Tinubu’s current stay in France was not simply a vacation, as the Presidency publicly announced, but for medical treatment.

“There is something inherently wrong with Nigeria,” Sowore said, questioning what he described as the President’s recent public appearances in Paris and his decision not to attend the UN General Assembly.

He alleged that Tinubu’s absence from UNGA was connected to what he described as a fear that the United States government could arrest him over his past drug-related forfeiture case.

Sowore also accused the Nigerian Government of concealing the President’s condition and said Tinubu would eventually be presented to Nigerians as having returned from his European trip without any explanation.

“Tinubu is not on vacation; he is receiving treatment in France, and they will package him to return as though nothing happened,” he alleged.

Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements on issues including development, climate action, economic growth and international cooperation, according to his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

Tinubu’s decision not to attend this year’s General Assembly follows his absence from the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025, respectively, when Shettima also represented him.

Tinubu had travelled to Europe on August 30 for a three-week vacation, with London as his first destination before proceeding to France, according to reports.

During his stay in Paris, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace on September 17.

The Presidency said the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Nigeria and France.

Sowore, however, disputed the official account of the President’s stay in France and linked it to what he described as a pattern of secrecy surrounding the health of past Nigerian presidents.

He referenced the administrations of former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, alleging that their governments had similarly managed information about their health and public appearances.

Sowore called for Nigerians to reject what he described as a culture of secrecy and political acquiescence, arguing that citizens should demand greater transparency from public officials.

The Presidency has not publicly confirmed Sowore’s allegation that Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France. It has also not said that the President is unable to travel to the United States for legal reasons.

The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 28, with world leaders gathering in New York to discuss global security, development, climate action and other international issues.

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… pic.twitter.com/vItq1bNygW

— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) September 20, 2026