The Convener of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has faulted critics of President Bola Tinubu, accusing them of ignoring the administration’s achievements while focusing on negative developments.
Showunmi spoke during an engagement in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, where he canvassed support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He accused some presidential contenders of refusing to acknowledge positive developments under the Tinubu administration, alleging that they were quick to celebrate challenges facing the country.
“You will never hear them, especially those so-called presidential candidates. They will never rejoice if anything good comes to Nigeria,” Showunmi said.
“By the time they hear there's a small challenge, they will be rejoicing.”
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as negative reports about the President, particularly allegations questioning his health and fitness to seek re-election in 2027.
“Never listen to the ideas of naysayers,” he said. “Never listen to the ideas of people who hate themselves and only laugh at mischief and at bad news.”
Showunmi insisted that Tinubu was in good health and of sound mind, dismissing allegations that the President was on a medical vacation or might not be fit to contest the next election.
“The president has answered that question by saying that this is a world where when you're in politics there's a lot of rumour,” he said.
“The way you saw him bouncing when he was coming from the plane, does that look like someone that is not well?”
He added, “The president is in good health. The president is a sound mind.”
The Alternative Movement convener also defended Tinubu's decision to miss the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, arguing that the President's absence should not be interpreted as evidence of ill health.
Tinubu has missed the UN General Assembly for three consecutive years, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing Nigeria at the 79th, 80th and 81st sessions in 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Showunmi argued that the Vice-President's representation was sufficient, questioning the benefits of the President's physical attendance at the annual gathering.
“The United Nations that people talk about, they don't probably know that the presidency is won. Anywhere you see the vice president acting in capacity as a representative of the president, it is as good as the president standing there,” he said.
He also cited investments in the gas and maritime sectors as reasons Tinubu should concentrate on domestic engagements rather than attend the international gathering.
“Look at the president. Should he have left a 700 billion investment towards gas in this country so that I can sit down and be taking pictures with some people in the United Nations?” Showunmi asked.
“Or should he have left the $7 billion investment in a seaport for our Ogun state while he's busy taking pictures?”
He further questioned the benefits Nigeria had derived from previous presidential attendance at the UN General Assembly.
“The ones we've been going to the United Nations all these days, including the one we even did with Tafal Balewa, the Golden Voice of Africa. What has been the result?” he said.
“The United Nations is just a gathering of one person saying, yes, sir, I'm here. They've seen me. And Nigeria has been represented, and that is enough.”
Tinubu had also dismissed concerns about his health after returning from a four-week stay in Europe in September, declaring that he was “healthy, sound, and ready to go.”
Showunmi has publicly backed Tinubu's re-election bid, arguing that policy continuity is necessary to allow the administration's economic programmes to take effect.
