The Nigerian presidency has refuted claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ill and making arrangements to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The rebuttal comes in response to a report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) last week, which alleged that members of the presidential medical team were preparing for the President’s evacuation.
Citing unnamed sources, ICIR reported that President Tinubu was allegedly bedridden, which had purportedly disrupted government activities.
The outlet further claimed that Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented the President at various official functions and that several engagements scheduled for early last week were canceled.
Presidential spokesman Abdu’aziz Abdul’aziz told BBC Hausa that the report was “completely untrue,” affirming that the President remains in office.
“There is no truth in these statements. He is still in office,” Abdul’aziz said.
In a similar response, presidential media adviser Bayo Onanuga, in an interview with ICIR, maintained that President Tinubu is actively performing his duties, noting that he often prefers working from home.