ABUJA, Nigeria – Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has refuted claims circulating on social media that the president is in France for medical treatment.
In a statement made during Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, April 13, 2025, Bwala strongly denied these rumours, clarifying that Tinubu’s trip to Paris was purely for a working visit and not for any health-related reasons.
“Sometimes on social media, somebody will be tweeting, you don’t even know who the person is; it can be somebody who has mental health somewhere. You just see that information is coming out,” Bwala remarked, highlighting the often unreliable nature of such online speculations.
He further emphasised that the president did not travel for medical attention, asserting, “The president did not go to see a doctor; he’s on a working visit, and we have been publishing his activities.”
President Tinubu left Nigeria for Paris on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, for a short work visit, as confirmed by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
A video shared by the presidency showed the president greeting top government officials before boarding the presidential aircraft, reinforcing the official nature of the visit.
Onanuga explained that the trip serves as a retreat where the president would review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning as his administration approaches its second anniversary.
Despite the rumours surrounding his trip, Bwala remained firm in stating that the visit was in line with the president’s responsibilities and agenda.
“The president is expected back in the country by April 16, 2025,” he added, reinforcing the planned timeline for Tinubu’s return.
This clarification by Bwala seeks to put to rest any speculations regarding the president’s health and underscores the official nature of his visit to France.
