African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is receiving medical treatment in France, contrary to the Presidency’s description of the President’s European trip as an annual leave and working vacation.
Sowore made the allegation on Sunday, September 20, 2026, while reacting to the President’s decision not to personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency had announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima would represent Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level UN gathering.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week annual leave in Europe, with London announced as his initial destination. He subsequently travelled to France, where the State House said he held engagements during his working vacation.
On September 18, the State House announced that French President Emmanuel Macron received Tinubu for a private dinner at the Élysée Palace. The Presidency also said Tinubu held discussions in Paris with businessman Vincent Bolloré and executives of the Bolloré Group on investment opportunities in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
However, Sowore disputed the official explanation for the President’s stay in France.
In a social media post, the AAC candidate alleged that Tinubu was not merely on vacation but was receiving medical treatment in France. He also linked the President’s absence from the UN General Assembly to what he described as concerns over possible legal action in the United States.
Sowore referred to an earlier U.S. legal matter involving Tinubu and alleged that the President was concerned about possible arrest if he travelled to the United States.
The claims have not been independently established. Available reporting does not show evidence that Tinubu is currently receiving medical treatment in France or that there is an active U.S. arrest order preventing him from attending the UN General Assembly.
The Presidency has instead maintained that Tinubu’s European trip forms part of his annual leave. A presidential aide, Ademola Osodi, also dismissed suggestions that the President’s absence from the UN gathering was caused by restrictions on his ability to travel to the United States.
Meanwhile, Shettima is scheduled to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly and deliver the country’s national statement during the General Debate.
The Vice President is also expected to participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with foreign leaders, international organisations and development partners during the UNGA.
The decision marks the third consecutive year in which Shettima will represent Tinubu at the annual gathering. Tinubu personally attended the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023, while Shettima represented Nigeria at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025.
The 81st UN General Assembly’s General Debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 and run through September 28, with world leaders expected to address issues including international cooperation, peace and security, development and global economic challenges.
As the controversy continues, the Presidency’s official position remains that Tinubu’s European trip is a working vacation, while Sowore’s claims about medical treatment remain allegations that have not been independently verified.
