Conflicting statements from aides spark confusion over whether Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will address parliament on his first anniversary amid ongoing health concerns.
On the eve of his first anniversary as Nigeria's President, conflicting statements from his aides have sparked uncertainty over whether Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address a joint session of the National Assembly as initially announced.
Early on Tuesday, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal, stated that Tinubu would deliver a "state of the nation" address and inaugurate the new parliamentary library to mark the occasion. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga corroborated this, outlining plans for Tinubu's speech and the event commemorating 25 years of Nigeria's democracy.
However, hours later, another presidential aide, Ajuri Ngelale, issued a contradictory statement, describing the earlier claims about Tinubu addressing parliament as "false and unauthorized." Ngelale asserted that the President's office was not involved in planning the event.
The conflicting messaging has fueled ongoing concerns about Tinubu's health and capacity to govern, which have persisted since before his election victory last year. Speculation has swirled around the 70-year-old leader's fitness, with opposition figures and analysts questioning whether he is fully able to execute the duties of his office.
Attempts to clarify the situation with Tinubu's government have so far been unsuccessful, leaving Nigerians uncertain about what to expect on the President's first anniversary. The contradictory statements have cast a pall over the intended celebrations, raising doubts about Tinubu's ability to project a unified and coherent message from his administration.
