December 28, 2025 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has sparked fresh controversy after alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio are battling serious health challenges while still holding the nation’s highest offices.In a strongly worded post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Sowore claimed that President Tinubu was hurriedly flown out of Nigeria to Europe for medical reasons, insisting the president had been “managing himself” before the sudden trip.
According to Sowore, Nigeria continues to suffer from leadership instability because key political figures are allegedly unwell but remain in power.“Nigeria’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unwell, just managing himself, which is why he was abruptly flown to Europe today. @Senator_Akpabio is practically dying. Why is Nigeria governed by sick people?” Sowore wrote.While acknowledging that illness itself is not a crime, the activist criticised what he described as a pattern where Nigerian leaders rely on foreign countries for healthcare while the local health system remains underdeveloped.
“There is nothing wrong with being ill, but it is callous to use a country as health insurance for sick leaders,” he added.Sowore’s comments followed reports earlier on Sunday that President Tinubu had departed Lagos for a trip to Europe. A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described the journey as part of the president’s end-of-year break and in preparation for an official engagement in the United Arab Emirates.According to the presidency, Tinubu is scheduled to attend the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) summit in early January at the invitation of UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The summit, themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” is expected to bring together global leaders to discuss innovation, finance, and sustainable development.However, the presidency declined to disclose the president’s specific European destination. SaharaReporters has previously claimed that some of Tinubu’s past trips to Europe—particularly Paris—were allegedly disguised medical visits.Sowore also raised concerns about Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s health, referencing recent public appearances that fueled speculation. A viral video from Ibadan, Oyo State, showed Akpabio appearing frail while stepping out of a vehicle.Earlier reports suggested Akpabio was flown abroad for medical treatment, claims he later denied.
The Senate President stated that he only took a short vacation in London after official engagements in Geneva and insisted he remains healthy and fully active in his legislative responsibilities.Upon his return to Nigeria, Akpabio was received by senators, aides, and supporters at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he dismissed the health rumors and expressed enthusiasm about resuming work.Despite official denials from the presidency and the Senate, Sowore’s allegations have reignited public debate over transparency, leadership fitness, and the continued dependence of Nigerian political leaders on foreign medical care.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the story unfolds.
