Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has raised fresh concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s health following the president’s appearance at a political rally in Kaduna.
Sowore alleged that Tinubu might have suffered a stroke, claiming that the president’s physical condition during the rally was troubling. However, the allegation has not been independently verified, and Tinubu has maintained that he is healthy and capable of performing his presidential duties.
The activist made the claim in a post on X while reacting to a video showing Tinubu at the Kaduna rally on Saturday.
In his post, Sowore questioned the president’s health and suggested that information about his condition might be concealed from Nigerians.
He said his concerns began when Tinubu travelled to France and did not return to Nigeria as expected.
“The Nigerian political class is of the worst variety when it comes to their ability to deceive themselves and Nigerians,” Sowore wrote.
“Tinubu @officialABAT appears to be very sick, as I stated when he travelled to France and could not return on time.”
The activist added: “I suspect this man may have suffered a stroke and that they are covering it up, but his appearance in this video from Kaduna rally yesterday is troubling about his health.”
“These politicians are sick! Sick people!” he wrote.
Tinubu’s Health Concerns Resurface
Sowore’s allegation comes amid continuing public discussion about Tinubu’s health following his recent overseas trip and return to Nigeria.
Tinubu returned to Lagos on September 29 after spending about four weeks in the United Kingdom and France.
His absence generated questions from opposition figures and political commentators, particularly concerning the duration of his trip and whether the appropriate constitutional procedures had been followed during his absence.
The president had left Nigeria on August 30 for what his handlers described as a working vacation.
Although his return ended his period abroad, questions about his health and the frequency of his international trips continued among critics and political observers.
Tinubu Dismisses Reports About His Health
Tinubu has dismissed concerns about his health, insisting that he remains fit to carry out his presidential responsibilities.
Speaking to journalists after returning to Lagos, the president said he was prepared to resume work and described reports questioning his health as politically motivated rumours.
“I’m ready to kick, ready to work. There is nothing wrong,” Tinubu said.
He added, “Well, rumours will always be emanating from politics, but the fact remains I’m here, healthy and sound, and ready to go.”
The president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has also dismissed speculation about Tinubu’s alleged ill health, describing the claims as entirely false.
Neither Sowore’s allegation of a possible stroke nor his suggestion of a cover-up has been established by independently verified medical evidence.
Nigeria’s History of Presidential Health Concerns
Questions about the health of Nigerian presidents have featured prominently in the country’s political history.
Former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s prolonged absence from Nigeria for medical treatment in 2009 triggered a constitutional crisis over the transfer of presidential powers to then-Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Yar’Adua died in office in May 2010, and Jonathan subsequently assumed the presidency.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also faced public scrutiny over his health after spending extended periods in the United Kingdom for medical treatment during his administration.
These experiences have contributed to public sensitivity surrounding presidential health, prolonged overseas absences and transparency about the ability of elected leaders to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
Tinubu’s Health and the 2027 Presidential Election
The renewed discussion about Tinubu’s health comes as political parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore, an opposition politician and former presidential candidate, has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration.
However, his latest claim remains an allegation rather than a confirmed medical assessment. Tinubu has publicly maintained that he is healthy and ready to work.
The debate is likely to remain a subject of political discussion as attention shifts towards the next presidential election and questions surrounding leadership, transparency and accountability continue to feature in Nigeria’s political discourse.