A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is back in Nigeria after his medical trip to London, United Kingdom where his right knee was operated on with treatment and physiotherapy lasting up to three months.
The development comes hours after Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu launched the South West Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ‘23) which has been championing the candidacy of Tinubu for the 2023 presidency, notwithstanding the political strategist is yet to officially declare his interest to run for Nigeria’s highest office.
Tinubu arrived at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday evening unannounced and was received by his political god-son, Governor Sanwo-Olu.
It was earlier reported in the news that Tinubu was due back in the country, but his arrival on Friday came two days earlier than reported.
According to a statement from the Tinubu Media Office on Friday, titled, ‘Asiwaju is back’, the ex-governor while in London underwent surgery on his right knee as well as rigorous post-surgery physiotherapy.
The statement reads: “Contrary to unfounded rumour, he underwent no other surgical procedures and contemplates none in the future. His recuperation has been without complication and ahead of the schedule by the attending surgeon.
“He has returned fully healed from the knee surgery and fully committed to doing his modest part of advancing the cause of progressive democratic good governance throughout our beloved nation.
“Asiwaju, first and foremost, would like to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the time to visit him in London to express his wishes for a speedy recovery from the knee operation.
“He is also not forgetting others who would have loved to visit him but couldn’t make it and his numerous friends, associates, supporters and well-wishers who have been with him in prayers and supplications to Allah.”
While in the UK, Tinubu’s London house was a Mecca of sorts as top politicians including President Muhammadu Buhari were at the apartment to pay a get-well-soon visit to the APC Chieftain.
It is on record that Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) all visited Tinubu in London.
Tinubu’s other visitors include former governor of Ogun State and incumbent Senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun; former governor of Borno State and Senator representing Borno Central, Kashim Shettima; and member representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency of Borno State, Usman Zanna.
The long list also includes Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; 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; and a former APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire.
