President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stormed back into Lagos yesterday evening with a defiant message for his enemies: “I’m healthy, ready to go.”
“I’m strong, ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong with my health. Rumours will always emanate from politics. But the fact remains that I’m here: healthy, sound and ready to go,” Tinubu declared.
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The President landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, aboard NAF 001 at exactly 6:22pm to a carnival-like reception.
He was received by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Wale Edun, Mudasiru Obasa and a sea of APC faithful.
Supporters in customized City Boy Movement attires, women with talking drums, youths bearing placards — “Welcome Mr President”, “Thank You for Bold Reforms” — turned the airport into a party ground as security operatives battled to clear route for his convoy at 6:30pm.
One Month Away, Billions Secured
Tinubu had left Abuja on August 30 for what was announced as a three-week working vacation. The leave was slightly extended, sparking wild social media speculation and even a lawsuit by an opposition party.
The Presidency says he spent one week in London and the rest in Paris, where he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore of Canal+ and MultiChoice fame.
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While away, he witnessed the signing of a $7 billion Memorandum of Understanding between Ogun State and DP World for the Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole dismissed the health rumours, saying the avalanche of correspondence Tinubu signed and sent to the National Assembly while on leave proved he never stopped working.
Next Stop: Abiola Honour, Independence Broadcast
Tinubu is in Lagos to honour late Chief Moshood Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 election.
He will attend the premiere of a movie celebrating Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, on October 1, Independence Day. His nationwide Independence broadcast will also air tomorrow.
Speaker Abbas said the rest has recharged the President: “We believe that he will come with renewed vigour, a renewed hope, to continue serving the good people of Nigeria.”
With 2027 permutations heating up, Tinubu is expected to hold strategic political meetings in Lagos before returning to Abuja.
