Sowore Alleges Tinubu Is Receiving Treatment In France, Questions UNGA Absence

Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France, contrary to the Presidency’s description of his European trip as an annual leave and working vacation.

Sowore made the claim in a Sunday post on X while reacting to Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The Presidency announced on Sunday that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA. Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements. 

“There is something inherently wrong with Nigeria,” Sowore wrote, alleging that Tinubu’s absence from the UN gathering was connected to what he described as the President’s “mortal fear” of possible arrest in the United States over his alleged past drug-related case.

Sowore also rejected the official explanation that Tinubu is on vacation, claiming that the President is instead receiving medical treatment in France.

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

He further compared the situation with the overseas medical trips of former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, accusing the government of maintaining secrecy around the President’s whereabouts and health.

However, there is no public confirmation in the sources reviewed that Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France or that he stayed away from UNGA because of a fear of arrest in the United States. The Presidency has publicly maintained that Tinubu is on a three-week annual leave, which it described as a working vacation. 

During his stay in Paris, State House records show that Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner and held discussions with businessman Vincent Bolloré concerning investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy. 

Tinubu began the European leave on August 30, travelling first to London before proceeding to Paris. 

The development has nevertheless drawn attention because Tinubu will not personally attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima now leading Nigeria’s delegation. The UNGA high-level general debate is scheduled for September 22–28, 2026.