Tinubu returns to Nigeria, dismisses ill-health rumours
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The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Monday, returned to the country after holidaying in Paris, France, for 34 days.
Tinubu who was accompanied by his wife, Remi and son, Seyi, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 4.40 pm to a rousing welcome by All Progressives Congress governors, National Assembly leaders and scores of party loyalists.
The ex-Lagos State governor departed the country on March 21, a few weeks after he was declared the winner of the presidential election.
According to a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the trip would enable Tinubu to rest and plan his transition programme ahead of his inauguration on May 29.
Rahman added that the President-elect would also head to Saudi Arabia from Europe to partake in the Lesser Hajj and Ramadan fasting period.
Weeks after his departure, there were speculations that he was admitted to a hospital in France for an undisclosed ailment.
But addressing the mammoth crowd which thronged his Asokoro home, the president-elect debunked the rumour that he was rushed abroad for treatment, saying he was strong after his vacation.
Dressed in a flowing blue agbada, Tinubu was received at the airport by the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau); Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff,The PUNCH Newspaper reports.
Others were former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; APC Deputy National Chairman for North, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Deputy National Chairman for South, Emma Enekwu, and National Woman Leader, Dr Betta Edu.
There were also a considerable number of Senators such as Barau Jibril, Adeola Yayi, Opeyemi Bamidele, Dayo Adeyeye, Sabi Abdullahi and Adelere Oriolowo as well as the Director of Media and Publicity in the recently-dissolved Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga.
Other loyalists at the airport included a former APC governorship aspirant in Ondo state, Chief Olusola Oke; former PCC member, Dr Ene Ogbole, and veteran actor, Zack Orji.
Prior to his arrival, Tinubu’s campaign office in the Central Business District was a beehive of activities on Monday morning as hundreds of party faithful rushed to get accredited in preparation for his arrival.
