Tinubu is healthy and ready to serve beyond 2027, Showunmi

Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and leader of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has brushed aside worries about President Bola Tinubu’s health and ability to run for re-election in 2027. He claims the President is in good health and can serve the country beyond 2027.

Showunmi spoke on Thursday in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State. He was there to gather support for Tinubu ahead of the upcoming presidential election in 2027.

His remarks come as political discussions heat up over Tinubu’s health. This follows the President's absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Vice President Kashim Shettima stood in for Nigeria at the high-profile event, which took place in September. The Presidency mentioned that Tinubu’s absence was not due to any travel restrictions.

In response to claims that the President was on medical leave and may not be fit to run for the next election, Showunmi said Tinubu had already addressed these concerns.

He stated, “The president has answered that question by saying that this is a world where when you’re in politics there’s a lot of rumour.

“The way you saw him bouncing when he was coming from the plane, does that look like someone that is not well?”

Showunmi added, “You must beg the people of Nigeria. You cannot indulge in continual self-hate to the extent that all you are looking for is bad news. The president is in good health. The president is a sound mind.”

Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly has sparked political chatter. The President attended the 78th session in 2023 but was represented by Shettima at later sessions, including the 81st session in 2026.

Showunmi insisted that the President’s absence from the New York event should not be seen as proof of health issues.

“The United Nations that people talk about, they don’t probably know that the presidency is one. Anywhere you see the vice president acting in capacity as a representative of the president, it is as good as the president standing there,” he said.

He also defended Tinubu’s choice to focus on local matters instead of attending the UN gathering.

“Look at the president. Should he have left a 700 billion investment towards gas in this country so that I can sit down and be taking pictures with some people in the United Nations?

“Or should he have left the 17 billion investment in a seaport for our Ogun State while he’s busy taking pictures?” Showunmi asked.

The State House recently announced that Tinubu witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for a planned Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside. The company is set to invest $7 billion in this project.

Showunmi also questioned the real benefits of past Nigerian presidents attending the UN General Assembly.

“The ones we’ve been going to the United Nations all these days, including the one we even did with Tafal Balewa, the Golden Voice of Africa. What has been the result?

“The United Nations is just a gathering of one person saying, yes, sir, I’m here. They’ve seen me. And Nigeria has been represented, and that is enough,” he said.

The Presidency had earlier mentioned that Tinubu went on a working vacation in Europe from August 30 and stayed in touch with officials in Nigeria during his time away. The State House revealed he returned to Nigeria at the end of September after visiting London and Paris.

Showunmi urged Nigerians to ignore what he called politically driven negative reports about the President.

“Never listen to the ideas of naysayers. Never listen to the ideas of people who hate themselves and only laugh at mischief and at bad news,” he said.

He also accused some presidential contenders of refusing to acknowledge positive changes under Tinubu.

Showunmi has openly supported Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying the country needs policy continuity to let the administration's economic plans take root.