Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to late President Muhammadu Buhari, has backed President Bola Tinubu over the reported cancellation of French President Emmanuel Macron’s deliberate visit to Nigeria forward of the 2027 presidential election.
Ahmad described Tinubu’s reported concern that Macron’s visit might set off allegations of international interference in Nigeria’s electoral course of as the precise choice.
He made the comment in a submit on X on Friday.
“Mr Tinubu also reportedly expressed concern that Mr Macron’s visit, about three months before the Nigerian presidential election, could invite accusations of foreign influence. That’s a right step,” Ahmad wrote.
The comment adopted a Premium Times report that Macron had cancelled his state visit to Nigeria, initially scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, following considerations over protests in France, Nigeria’s forthcoming presidential election and a brand new Ebola case.
According to the newspaper, Nigerian sources aware of the deliberate visit stated Macron and Tinubu agreed on Thursday to cancel the journey.
Macron was reportedly involved that travelling to Nigeria amid ongoing demonstrations in France might be perceived as insensitive, because the protests had resulted at school closures, looting and clashes between demonstrators and safety operatives.
The reported cancellation comes months earlier than Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, wherein Tinubu is searching for re-election.
