The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have raised concerns and called for an explanation as President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja for France on a private visit.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, expressed the view that the current state of insecurity and the nation’s economic challenges make it the worst time for Tinubu’s foreign trip.
Meanwhile, Yunusa Tanko, the spokesman for the LP 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, alleged that there might be a hidden agenda behind the trip, suggesting concerns about the president’s health.
Tinubu left Abuja on Wednesday for Paris, France, marking his third visit to the country since assuming office eight months ago. While the official statement did not provide specific reasons for the visit, it indicated that Tinubu would return to Nigeria in the first week of February 2024.
The current departure has sparked questions, especially given the ongoing challenges faced by the nation, including economic difficulties and security concerns.
Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the PDP, called on the presidency to provide clear details about Tinubu’s visit, raising suspicions about a possible medical aspect, given Tinubu’s previous health-related trips.
He emphasised the need for transparency, particularly considering the state of the nation, and urged the president’s handlers to communicate the purpose of the visit to the public.
He said, “The feelers we are having are that he (Tinubu) has gone for medical treatment as usual because that is where his doctors are. So, we challenge the Presidency to come clean and explain to us the details of his ailment.
“Though he’s been around for some time. We commend his decision to stay back, but we also would want it to be sustained. For now, we are wishing him well but we are asking his handlers to come clean and tell us what exactly is disturbing him, what he has gone for, and how he intends to avoid incessant trips because the machinery of state and the life of over 250 million Nigerians are in his hands.”
Tanko from the LP expressed dissatisfaction with president Tinubu’s departure, drawing parallels with past leaders who preferred international travels over leading the nation.
He raised concerns about the lack of detailed information surrounding the trip and suggested that the president’s health might be a factor, referencing observations made during a previous public appearance.
He said, “We are back to another Muhammadu Buhari, who prefers to travel than to lead. The fact is that President Tinubu has a health challenge and they are trying to cover up the health issues. The last time we saw him was when he was in Imo. And I noticed that his hands were shaking. That is to tell you that probably his state of health called to question.”
“So the fact remains that when you see it shady exit of the President without detailed information, then you must question it. That means that there’s a hidden agenda somewhere.”
