President Buhari exchanges Sallah greetings with Tinubu amid questions over his whereabouts
President Muhammadu Buhari has exchanged Sallah greetings with President-elect, Bola Tinubu, amid questions over the latter's whereabouts. Buhari and Tinubu exchanged greetings in a phone conversation on Friday, with Buhari expressing his readiness to welcome Tinubu into the Presidential Villa. This comes amid reports that Tinubu was secretly flown out of Nigeria for medical treatment on March 22, following uninterrupted political campaigns across the nation. However, Tinubu's media team countered the narrative, insisting that their principal only travelled to Paris and London to rest and plan the transition programme.
In the phone call, the leaders prayed for Nigeria's stability and well-being, with Buhari expressing his readiness to welcome Tinubu to the State House as President on May 29th. The statement by Buhari's spokesman, Garba Shehu, follows worries expressed by some Nigerians over Tinubu's whereabouts.
The exchange of greetings between the two leaders has attracted attention, with some speculating that it may have implications for the 2023 presidential election. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state, is seen as a potential candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
It is not unusual for the health of Nigerian politicians to be shrouded in secrecy, leading to speculation and rumour-mongering. The death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010, after months of illness and absence from the country, created a constitutional crisis.
In the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, politicians are jostling for position and alliances are being formed. The ruling APC party, which came to power in 2015 on a wave of anti-corruption sentiment and promises of economic growth, is facing challenges on multiple fronts, including insecurity, economic challenges, and allegations of corruption.
Tinubu, a prominent politician and businessman, is seen as one of the key figures in the APC, having played a critical role in the party's formation and rise to power. However, he has faced criticism from some quarters, including accusations of corruption and a lack of transparency in his business dealings.
The exchange of greetings between Buhari and Tinubu is likely to fuel speculation about the latter's health and political ambitions. It remains to be seen whether Tinubu will run for president in 2023, and if he does, whether he will secure the nomination of the APC. The coming months are likely to see intense political manoeuvring as Nigeria prepares for another election cycle.