President Tinubu Travels To France On ‘Private Visit’

President Bola Tinubu departed for France on a "private visit," the presidency said Wednesday.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President Chief, made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter. He said that the president will return in the first week of February. However, no specific date of return was mentioned in the post.

"President Bola Tinubu departs Abuja for Paris, France, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, for a private visit. He will return to the country in the first week of February 2024," Ngelale wrote, without mentioning the reason behind the visit.

While the explanation for the "private visit" was not given, the opposition parties -- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) -- demanded the reason behind the traveling.

PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi pointed out that this is the worst time for Tinubu to leave the country, as Nigeria is fighting with insecurity and an unstable economy. LP Presidential Campaign Council's spokesperson Yunusa Tanko claimed that the president went to France with a hidden agenda, hinting that he is unwell.

"The feelers we are having are that he (Tinubu) has gone for medical treatment as usual because that is where his doctors are. So, we challenge the Presidency to come clean and explain to us the details of his ailment," Abdullahi said, Punch reported.

"Though he's been around for some time. We commend his decision to stay back, but we also would want it to be sustained," he added.

While Abdullahi said that his party wishes for Tinubu's good health, the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC) should clarify the reason behind the visit.

"How he intend to avoid incessant trips because the machinery of state and the life of over 250 million Nigerians are in his hands," PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary questioned.

LP party's Tanko, on the other hand, compared Tinubu with former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that he also prefers to travel abroad than stay in the country and lead.

"The fact is that President Tinubu has a health challenge and they are trying to cover up the health issues. The last time we saw him was when he was in Imo. And I noticed that his hands were shaking. That is to tell you that probably his state of health called to question," Tanko said.

Ahead of taking over the office in May last year, Tinubu traveled to Europe after falling ill to seek medical care.