London Visit: Fayemi opens up on Tinubu health challenges
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has revealed that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had undergone surgery in London, United Kingdom.
The governor said he visited Tinubu in London to show support for the recovering politician.
Fayemi made this known on Sunday when he spoke on THISDAY Live, an interview programme on Arise TV monitored by Newsflash Nigeria.
According to the governor, Tinubu had surgery and he had visited the former Lagos State governor alongside his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, to show solidarity.
Fayemi also said his visit to Tinubu was not connected to the 2023 general elections.
The governor said, “He (Akeredolu) and I were in London together to see our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but it had absolutely nothing to do with 2023 presidential plans whatsoever. That’s not the reason why we went there.
“Asiwaju had surgery, it is simply proper etiquette or behaviour both in the part of the country where I come from but also generally that when a friend and elder is undergoing health challenges, it would be improper on your part not to show solidarity and support.
“That is simply what took us there; we wanted to associate ourselves with him at a time of need and as an elder, as a mentor and as a big figure in our political party, nothing wrong in paying him a courtesy visit to check on him to see how he was faring and we did that and we returned.
“It has nothing to do with 2023; let me make that absolutely clear.”
Nigeria News: N55 trillion debt: I was shocked when Buhari requested more loans…but I had a conversation with my friend – Pastor Adeboye
Tinubu has, for a while, been in London for reported medical reasons.
The former Lagos State Governor is rumoured to have undergone a series of surgery on his knee.
There were claims that Tinubu allegedly underwent another knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, the United States.
It was gathered that the former Lagos State Governor returned to the United Kingdom on crutches after undergoing the successful surgery.
Tinubu, who celebrated his 69th birthday in March 2021 and command an arguably large following of political loyalists, has been rumoured to nurse presidential ambition in 2023.
Newsflash Nigeria reports that the former Lagos governor has been receiving prominent politicians over the last few weeks in the UK where he is currently recuperating after undergoing a series of knee surgery.
Tinubu received at least 30 Nigerian top government officials including President Muhammadu Buhari in his London residence as state officials continue to squander Nigeria’s scarce resources.
Just like Buhari, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and another member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke had also visited the former Lagos State governor.
In an effort to dispel the overwhelming rumour about Tinubu’s reported ill health, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, told reporters in Lagos on August 4, 2021, that he visited Tinubu in London and took photos with him.
Sanwo-Olu said, “Yes, indeed, I am the one you saw in the picture that I took when I visited our leader in London just to dispel all of the rumours that were flying around that he was sick and hospitalised.
“You saw him (Tinubu). He is well, he is healthy and we conversed. We talked about what is happening in our party, what is happening in the nation and just to say to him that all is well.
“I went to see things for myself. It is just to put the mind and heart of people to rest that there is nothing for us to worry about,” the governor disclosed.
In recent years, the UK has become a choice destination for the Nigerian elite including the President Muhammadu Buhari who frequent London for medical tourism while perpetual industrial actions, lack of modern equipment, failure of government to pay doctors’ salaries, amongst others, mar Nigeria’s health sector.
On August 12, 2021, presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, shared photos on Facebook that showed Tinubu leaning on a walking stick as he posed for a shot with the President, who was also in the UK at the time for a medical check-up.
Nigeria News: What Jonathan will give Tinubu for 2023 APC presidential ticket – Rep member
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, subsequently confirmed that Buhari visited the APC chieftain in London.
In a statement by his Media Office, Tinubu described the President’s visit as a “friendly and welcome one”, adding that, “By this gesture, Mr. President has, again, demonstrated his personal thoughtfulness and humility; defying the erroneous commentaries peddled by his critics.”
Following Buhari’s visit, scores of politicians and loyalists of the APC leader including governors, senators, amongst others have jostled to visit him in London as seen in viral photos after such visits.
Aside from Sanwo-Olu, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi; as well as Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje, have visited Tinubu in London in the last two months.
In the entourage with Ganduje are his wife Hafsat Ganduje; their son, Umar Ganduje; three lawmakers as well four other members of the Ganduje’s family.
Others who also visited Tinubu in London include House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; ex-Governor of Ogun State and current Senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun; former Governor of Borno State and current Senator representing Borno Central, Kashim Shettima; and member representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency of Borno State, Usman Zanna.
Also on the list are Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat; Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Tayo Ayinde; Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Soyannwo; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Tokunbo Wahab; former APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire.
Others are Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Temitope Adewale; Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Nureni Akinsanya; as well as Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Investments and Sustainable Development Goals, Sylvester Ogunkelu.
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Adetokunbo Abiru; Senator Adeola Solomon from Lagos West; Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti Central; Senator Adelere Oriolowo from Osun West; and Senator Mohammed Sanni from Niger East also visited the ex-Lagos governor in London.
Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Adebayo Olasoju; another politician, Adekunle Akanbi; and popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly called KWAM 1, also visited Tinubu in London.
Though Tinubu’s spokesman had said his principal was “hale and hearty”, the APC leader continues to receive dignitaries, mostly serving politicians, in his London home, with many Nigerians wondering the purpose of the seemingly unending visits.
Some critics of the visitors have also taken to social media to ask whether the serving politicians funded their UK trips to check on Tinubu with taxpayers’ money.
Tinubu, who was Lagos State Governor between 1999 and 2007, is the husband of the Senator representing Lagos Central, Remi Tinubu.
The former governor was one of the major players in the formation of the ruling APC before the 2015 election that brought in Buhari as president.
FULL LIST:
-
Governor Sanwo-Olu
-
Hon Hon. James Faleke (Lagos Reps)
-
President Muhammadu Buhari
-
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu
-
Governor Kayode Fayemi
-
Governor Umar Ganduje
-
Hafsat Ganduje (Gov wife)
-
Umar Ganduje (Son)
-
Kano Assembly 1
-
Kano Assembly 2
-
Kano Assembly 3
-
Ganduje’s family1
-
Ganduje Family 2
-
Ganduje Family 3
-
Ganduje Family 4
-
Ex-governor Ibikunle Amosun
-
Ex-governor Kashim Shettima
-
Hon Usman Zanna (Borno Reps)
-
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat;
-
Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Tayo Ayinde;
-
Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Soyannwo;
-
Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Tokunbo Wahab;
-
former APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire
-
Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa;
-
Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, Temitope Adewale;
-
Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Nureni Akinsanya;
-
Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Investments and Sustainable Development Goals, Sylvester Ogunkelu
-
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Adetokunbo Abiru;
-
Senator Adeola Solomon from Lagos West;
-
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti Central;
-
Senator Adelere Oriolowo from Osun West;
-
Senator Mohammed Sanni from Niger East,
-
Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Adebayo Olasoju;
-
Another politician, Adekunle Akanbi;
-
Popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly called KWAM 1.
Newsflash Nigeria is an online newspaper that is developed and written exclusively for Nigerians. It’s packed with up-to-the-minute Local and National Economy News, Share & Capital Market, Health, Sports, Education, Technology, Business and Opinions.
To make further advert enquiries or place an order, please contact us at [email protected] and +2348053316946 and WhatsApp number 08033546732
FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE
