Tinubu returns from UK, ready for campaigns

Tinubu at the Abuja International Airport on arrival from London… on Thursday evening

By Banji Ayoola

Wild jubilation erupted on Thursday evening in the camp of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, when he returned to the country from London, after widely reported speculations about his state of health.

In fact, there were widespread reports suggesting that he was terribly ill and being moved between hospitals in the UK seeking medical attention over a reported deteriorating illness.

To counter the reports which were spreading in the social media and activists on the Internet like a bush fire, his handlers had to release a series of photographs and videos dispelling his rumoured critical ill health.

His plane arrived at the Abuja International Airport on Thursday evening to the waiting arms of some of his closest associates led by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and including ex-APC Chairman and former Nigerian Labour Congress President, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong; among others.

Tinubu was rumoured to have been holed up sick in London, indicating that he would not return soon to commence campaigns for next year’s election, reports which were vigorously debunked by his campaign team and media managers.

Earlier on Thursday, his campaign spokesman, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, had stoutly defended his principal’s state of sound health, saying that he spoke with Tinubu’s son, Seyi, who had confirmed his father being hale and hearty.

Before then, pictures of Tinubu riding a keep-fit bicycle and standing full length with two children in London, among others, had widely circulated in the print media and on the Internet, where the APC presidential candidate affirmed his sound heath and readiness to serve Nigeria as President.

His handlers had in the last few days, released several images and ‘workout video’, as demand for his whereabouts mounted as exemplified in the viral #WhereIsTinubu trended on Twitter for days.

Besides, his team had claimed that he traveled to London to get some rest before the full commencement of campaign activities; while his party postponed the flag-off of its campaign due to his absence.

Also, he had missed the peace accord signing last week by the presidential candidates of all the political parties ahead of the 2023 general election. Shettima represented him at the event..

Besides, in his absence, his party had been battling dealing with infighting over the composition of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), with the governors and other notable chieftains claiming they were marginalised and unrecognised.

It was learnt that Tinubu will immediately engage in a series of political consultations.

He is expected to host members of his Presidential Campaign Council, Progressive Governors Forum and the National Working Committee of the APC in separate meetings to discuss the contentious campaign list.

A former Minister of Communications and Director General of the Asiwaju Tinubu-Shettima Coalition for Good Governance, Adebayo Shittu, told The Punch that the wild jubilation that greeted Tinubu’s arrival was enough to make some people cover their faces in shame.

“They probably thought he won’t return to the country. I told you earlier he is coming today, didn’t I?

“Let us even assume he went for medical treatment abroad, should that be an issue? His fitness video and the eventual return have put an end to all their speculations,” he said.

The Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier said that the previous October 10 selected as the date for the launch of the campaign was no longer feasible.

He said, “Oct 10 date is not certain for the launch of our campaign. It was the date we chose before. It is tentative and not cast in stone.”

When asked about his itinerary, Onanuga said though Tinubu would be busy after his return from London, he is not aware of any nocturnal meeting his principal might be having last night.

Another member of the PCC media team, Biodun Ajiboye, also told the paper that he didn’t understand what the euphoria and fixation that greeted the candidate’s arrival were about.

“Are they expecting Asiwaju won’t return before?” he asked.

He however acknowledged that being the workaholic that he is, Tinubu would hit the ground running.

“He is going to start his usual busy schedule from this night. Naturally, as the presidential candidate of Africa’s largest political party, he should be busy. What do you think?

“He has missed a few days of work that he is eager to recover. So I don’t think it is anything to worry about,” he said.

APC governors had threatened to sabotage the campaign in protest over the PCC composition, prompting the postponement of its inauguration.

Reportedly, Lalong and the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu, are working on expanding the list to address the concerns of all aggrieved members of the party.

On Wednesday, some governors of the party had a marathon meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party over the composition of the council.

APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, had led the NWC members to the meeting.

According to Premium Times, Adamu had allegedly written a letter to Tinubu expressing dissatisfaction of the NWC with the composition of the PCC. The party however denied that its chairman wrote the letter.

It also reported that with Tinubu’s arrival, the party is expected to flag off its campaigns in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, baring last minute change of mind.

Following Tinubu’s arrival, Keyamo mocked critics who thought they could exploit his principal’s absence, stressing that the APC candidate is the “master of the game.”

Confirming Tinubu’s arrival, Keyamo tweeted, “The Eagle has landed!!!.”

Also, he mocked those who had thought otherwise about Tinubu’s return, adding that Tinubu played mind games with them as he allowed their thoughts run wild.

Keyamo tweeted: “He teased them; he played mind game with them; their thoughts went wild but @officialABAT is the master of the game. Just when they thought they had something on which to feast, he’s rather the one now feasting on their naivety. Welcome back, the City Boy.”

Meanwhile,  Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised that Tinubu will tackle the challenges faced by youths, women and other vulnerable people in society.

The governor stated this on Thursday during an event organised by the Asiwaju Grassroots Talk in Oregun, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said his endorsement of the AGT advocacy project stemmed from the proven ability of the group to influence and mobilise real voters, noting that AGT had a strong presence across communities in the state.

He said, “We are ready to take the gospel out to the electorate and canvass for their support for the Tinubu presidency. Asiwaju has verifiable track records in good governance and service delivery, which canvassers can use to engage and win the support of potential voters.

“We must talk about the transformative leadership, progressive ideals, and vision possessed by Asiwaju to take this country to another level of meaningful development.

“Tinubu is coming to bring hope, bring about change that will translate to real prosperity.”

He is coming to address the challenges facing the youth, women, and the vulnerable in our country.

“His programmes will touch the lives of traders, artisans, and those in search of legitimate means of livelihood. It is because of our strong belief in Asiwaju’s leadership that we are all coming together to endorse this grassroots movement to ensure Lagos is delivered for APC.”