EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu returns to Nigeria ‘this week’

Former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will return to the country on this week after a month-long absence, TheCable understands.

There have been speculations on the state of his health, with some reports suggesting he had been in coma and unable to recognise his family members.

However, one of his former commissioners, who declined to be identified because “Asiwaju will speak for himself when he arrives”, told TheCable that Tinubu has been resting outside the country in preparation for the 2015 elections.

“He was to return on Monday but he told me on Saturday night that he would now arrive on Tuesday because of a meeting he just scheduled for the day,” he said.

Tinubu’s media aide, Mr. Sunday Dare, also told TheCable that reports of ill-health were “absolutely false”.

“Anytime he travels, word goes round that he has serious medical problems. He always comes back hale and hearty, but this has not stopped the speculations. It is most unfortunate,” he said.

TheCable learnt that Tinubu is considering legal action over the “libelous reports” on his health.

Another associate of the politician said Tinubu, who initially went to the US before heading to the UK, deliberately “took off” to avoid lobbying by some politicians who are seeking various political offices in the general election.

“Those who want to be lawmakers and governors on the platform of APC have been giving him sleepless nights with intense lobbying. He has been able to step aside and strategise properly for the electioneering,” he said.

Attempts to reach Tinubu were unsuccessful as calls to his numbers did not go through.

An SMS was also not delivered, indicating that his phones might be switched off.